teaching extended techniques on the saxophone: a comparison

196
University of Miami Scholarly Repository Open Access Dissertations Electronic eses and Dissertations 2012-05-08 Teaching Extended Techniques on the Saxophone: A Comparison of Methods Mahew J. Taylor University of Miami, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: hp://scholarlyrepository.miami.edu/oa_dissertations is Open access is brought to you for free and open access by the Electronic eses and Dissertations at Scholarly Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Open Access Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Recommended Citation Taylor, Mahew J., "Teaching Extended Techniques on the Saxophone: A Comparison of Methods" (2012). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 772.

Upload: dangkien

Post on 05-Feb-2017

236 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

University of MiamiScholarly Repository

Open Access Dissertations Electronic Theses and Dissertations

2012-05-08

Teaching Extended Techniques on the Saxophone:A Comparison of MethodsMatthew J. TaylorUniversity of Miami, [email protected]

Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarlyrepository.miami.edu/oa_dissertations

This Open access is brought to you for free and open access by the Electronic Theses and Dissertations at Scholarly Repository. It has been accepted forinclusion in Open Access Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Repository. For more information, please [email protected].

Recommended CitationTaylor, Matthew J., "Teaching Extended Techniques on the Saxophone: A Comparison of Methods" (2012). Open Access Dissertations.Paper 772.

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

TEACHING EXTENDED TECHNIQUES ON THE SAXOPHONE: A COMPARISON OF METHODS

By

Matthew Jeffery Taylor

A DOCTORAL ESSAY

Submitted to the Faculty of the University of Miami

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts

Coral Gables, Florida

May 2012

©2012 Matthew Jeffery Taylor

All Rights Reserved

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

A doctoral essay submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Musical Arts

TEACHING EXTENDED TECHNIQUES ON THE SAXOPHONE:

A COMPARISON OF METHODS

Matthew Jeffery Taylor

Approved: ________________ _________________ Gary D. Green, M.M. Terri A. Scandura, Ph.D. Professor of Instrumental Performance Dean of the Graduate School ________________ _________________ Dale W. Underwood Santiago Rodriguez, M.M. Lecturer of Instrumental Performance Professor of Keyboard Performance ________________ Luciano Magnanini, P.D. Professor of Instrumental Performance

TAYLOR, MATTHEW JEFFERY (D.M.A., Instrumental Performance) Teaching Extended Techniques on the Saxophone: (May 2012) A Comparison of Methods Abstract of a doctoral essay at the University of Miami. Doctoral essay supervised by Professor Gary Green. No. of pages in text. (187)

Through substantial correspondence with eight saxophone professors in the

United States and three in France, this project examines the methods used by

French and American college-level teachers for teaching extended techniques on

the saxophone. The essay also reviews related printed pedagogical and

reference materials and provides a brief comparison of all presented methods.

Profiled techniques include circular breathing, slap tongue, multiple tonguing, and

fingering-based multiphonics. Participants share insights about their teaching

procedures, criteria for assessment, ways to promote mastery, suggestions for

relevant repertoire, and their own practice and performance philosophies as they

relate to these four extended techniques. Participants include Serge Bertocchi,

Marie-Bernadette Charrier, David Dees, Geoffrey Deibel, Philippe Geiss, Jeffrey

Heisler, Timothy Roberts, James Romain, John Sampen, Rhonda Taylor,

Kenneth Tse, and James Umble.

iii

To Jeff and Angie Taylor, who have supported me with their

unceasing encouragement, generosity, and love

iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Foremost, I would like to thank my teacher of five years, Dale Underwood,

for his encouragement, trust, patience, and musicality. With him, I am also very

grateful to the other members of my committee of virtuosos: Professors Gary

Green, Santiago Rodriguez, and Luciano Magnanini. Thank you for your

inspiration. You all make me want to “matter.”

Immense thanks to the participants of this study: Professors Serge

Bertocchi, Marie-Bernadette Charrier, David Dees, Geoffrey Deibel, Philippe

Geiss, Jeffrey Heisler, Timothy Roberts, James Romain John Sampen, Rhonda

Taylor, Kenneth Tse, and James Umble. Thank you for generously sharing your

valuable time and knowledge, and for working to improve our world.

I am fortunate to have had many marvelous teachers in my life, and since

a public forum to thank inspiring, excellent educators is so rare, I will recognize

them now. To Roger Sharp, thank you for showing me how to love music and to

love people by sharing it with them. To Curt Sipe, thank you for teaching me how

to practice, and with that skill, cause me to be able to believe in myself. To Jackie

Lamar, thank you for teaching me how to play the saxophone, and with that, to

be brave, disciplined, and organized: there is no doubt that I would not be where

I am today without you. À Marie-Bernadette Charrier, merci de me prouver que

quand on a le courage et la confiance, malgré la difficulté, il est toujours possible.

v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................... vi Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1 Justification of the Study.................................................................... 7 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................... 9 Research Questions .......................................................................... 9 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE.............................................. 10 2.1 Circular Breathing ........................................................................ 11 2.2 Slap Tonguing.............................................................................. 15 2.3 Multiple Tonguing ........................................................................ 17 2.4 Multiphonics................................................................................. 19 3 METHOD ........................................................................................... 22 The Participants ................................................................................. 22 Interview Procedures ......................................................................... 24 Interpretation of the Data ................................................................... 25 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ......................................................... 26 4.1 Circular Breathing ........................................................................ 26 4.2 Slap Tonguing.............................................................................. 35 4.3 Multiple Tonguing ........................................................................ 43 4.4 Multiphonics................................................................................. 48 CONCLUSION................................................................................... 55 APPENDICES............................................................................................... 56 APPENDIX 1: CIRCULAR BREATHING QUESTIONNAIRES ............... 56 APPENDIX 2: SLAP TONGUING QUESTIONNAIRES ......................... 88 APPENDIX 3: MULTIPLE TONGUING QUESTIONNAIRES ................. 120 APPENDIX 4: MULTIPHONICS QUESTIONNAIRES ............................ 156 BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................................... 184

vi

LIST OF TABLES

Page

TABLE 3.1: INTERVIEW PARTICIPANTS ................................................... 23

1

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

Since its creation in the mid-nineteenth century, the saxophone has

existed on the fringes of traditional classical music. The instrument’s inventor,

Adolphe Sax, set out to create an instrument that could timbrally link the

woodwinds with the brass. He foresaw in his creation a musical chameleon,

capable of enriching the sound of the brass section—especially the horns and

low brass—while retaining its fellow woodwinds’ aptitude for velocity and range.1

Despite Sax's success in the creation of his eponymous instrument and its

subsequent integration into the French military band, the saxophone has never

become a standard orchestral instrument.

This setback notwithstanding, by the early twentieth century the

saxophone achieved tremendous popular appeal with its inclusion in vaudeville

acts, jazz, and the variety music of the day, where saxophonists discovered ways

to produce new and entertaining “sound effects” to add to their shows.2 There are

numerous recordings in which saxophonists from different parts of the United

States perform similar or identical extended techniques, but there is no

compelling evidence to suggest that performers learned these techniques from a

manual or pedagogical method. In fact, many early saxophone pedagogues

denounced these techniques (notably slap tongue, timbral modifications, and

atypical vibrato) as being inappropriate, or even vulgar, and sought to integrate

1 Michael Segell, The Devil's Horn: The Story of the Saxophone, from Noisy Novelty to King of Cool (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005), 16. 2 Bruce Vermazen, That Moaning Saxophone: The Six Brown Brothers and the Dawning of a Musical Craze (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004), 64.

2

the saxophone into the academy by eliminating these techniques through careful

study of transcriptions of works written for other more canonical instruments,

along with etudes, and original neoclassical and romantic repertoire.

German-born American saxophonist Sigurd Raschèr is an important

exception to this widely held performance practice. Besides commissioning an

enormous amount of new music, Raschèr also used a variety of extended

techniques in his performances.3 Raschèr routinely included the percussive slap

tongue and flutter tongue in his playing during the early and mid-twentieth

century, and he was especially known for his commitment to the upward

expansion of the saxophone’s range from two and a half to nearly four octaves.

In spite of frequent, sometimes bitter disagreements with his fellow saxophonists

about the appropriate use of these techniques, at the peak of his career, he was

unquestionably one of the world’s best-known concert saxophonists.4

Raschèr’s preeminence among concert saxophonists coupled with his

own tenacity and idealism led to frequent collaborations with numerous important

composers. He is responsible for the creation of over 140 works; often, the

composers of these works, at Raschèr’s prompting and encouragement,

integrated slap tongue, flutter tongue, and notes from the altissimo register into

their compositions. Many of these works remain among the most treasured

pieces in the standard saxophone repertoire, including concerti by Ibert,

Glazanov, Dahl, Larsson, Martin, Brant, and Husa and works inspired by

3 Michael Segell, The Devil's Horn: The Story of the Saxophone, from Noisy Novelty to King of Cool (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005), 24. 4 Obituary of Sigurd Rascher, New York Times, March 26, 2001.

3

Raschèr including saxophone by Luciano Berio, Philip Glass, Iannis Xenakis,

Sofia Gubaidulina, Paul Hindemith, and others.

While Raschèr rose to prominence in the United States with his nearly

evangelical use of extended techniques in his teaching and performances,

France’s most important concert saxophonist, Marcel Mule, the first official

professor of saxophone at the Conservatoire de Paris following the reinstatement

of the saxophone class in 1942, heartily rejected extended techniques as he

crafted what would become the “French School” of saxophone playing.5 Mule’s

importance as a performer and teacher was (and is) as venerated as that of

Raschèr, and likewise, many composers wrote works for him, including Gabriel

Pierne, Florent Schmitt, Henri Tomasi, and Alexander Glazunov among others. In

addition to works that he commissioned and that composers dedicated to him, he

played and taught many of the pieces written for Rascher, but omitted the

altissimo and other extended techniques.6

Interestingly, it was a former student of Marcel Mule’s in France who

would become one of the world’s leading voices for contemporary music and

extended techniques on the saxophone: Jean-Marie Londeix. A graduate from

Mule’s class at the Conservatoire de Paris, Londeix devoted the early part of his

career to teaching and performing in much the same aesthetic as Mule and

others within the “French School,” with a concentration on tone and traditional

5 Michael Segell, The Devil's Horn: The Story of the Saxophone, from Noisy Novelty to King of Cool (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005), 237. 6 James Umble, Michèle Gingras, Hervé Corbé, William Henry Street, and Jean-Marie Londeix. Jean-Marie Londeix: master of the modern saxophone = maître du saxophone moderne (Cherry Hill, NJ: Roncorp Publications, 2000), 243.

4

music rather than extended techniques and the avant garde. During a trip to

North America, however, Londeix witnessed American saxophonists performing

various extended techniques firsthand (most notably the altissimo register).7 He

returned to France, where he began to integrate them into his own teaching and

playing, and following his 1970 performance of the Sonate by Denisov, he

declared that for the rest of his career, he would focus his performing activities

exclusively to the proliferation of contemporary and avant-garde works that he

deemed to be “idiomatic” to the saxophone,8 which essentially refers to works

employing extended techniques that render a piece performable on no other

instrument but the saxophone.9

Londeix became the professor of saxophone at the Conservatoire de

Bordeaux in 1971, where he would remain until his retirement until 2001. His time

at Bordeaux was momentous for the development of the contemporary concert

saxophone for a myriad of reasons. Few other French saxophonists of his

generation have matched his international influence, thanks in part to an

agreement he reached with the mayor of Bordeaux at the time of his appointment

at the Conservatoire that made it possible for foreign students to study with him

in France.10 By the time of his retirement, he had taught students from almost 50

different countries, and many of them returned to their home countries to teach,

7 Ibid, 129. 8 Ibid, 102. 9 N.B., while the majority of Londeix’s performance activities centered on contemporary music, he did play “standard” pieces, and he expected his students in his classes at the Conservatoire de Bordeaux to perform both contemporary and traditional works as part of their scholastic and musical experience. 10 Ibid, 130.

5

propagating his philosophical and pedagogical ideas, including a commitment to

music that uses extended techniques, in an unprecedented way.11

During his time at Bordeaux, he also was instrumental in the development

of an “École Bordelais” of composers who wrote for the saxophone. The

composers, many of whom studied in the class of Michel Fusté-Lambezat or

were in some other way affiliated with the Conservatoire de Bordeaux,

collaborated with Londeix and his students to explore the techniques and the

various sonic possibilities they offer.12 The results of these collaborations

resulted in works that typically require performers to use altissimo, flutter tongue,

slap tongue, multiphonics, circular breathing, and countless other techniques.

Some composers who are representative of the “École Bordelais” include

Christain Lauba, Francois Rossé, Thierry Alla, Christophe Havel, and Michel

Fusté-Lambezat.13

An author of a substantial number of teaching manuals, etude books, and

performance guides, Londeix’s 1989 book Hello! Mr Sax, ou, Paramètres du

saxophone14 is among the most important for its discussion of extended

techniques, including important research on multiphonics, slap tongue, altissimo,

bisbigliando, quarter tones, et cetera. His book is one of the first pedagogical

11 Ibid, 131. 12 Thierry Alla, “Musique contemporaine, l’école de Bordeaux,” Bordeaux Culture, June 2006. 13 Jean-Marie Londeix. “Qui a dit ‘l’Ecole de Bordeaux?’ — Who called it the ‘Bordeaux School?’” 2006. 14 Jean-Marie Londeix, William Street, and Anna Street, Hello! Mr. Sax (Paris: Editions Musicales Alphonse Leduc, 1989).

6

resources to present and offer examples and suggestions for the notation of

extended saxophone techniques.

Since the publication of Hello! Mr Sax, several other resources devoted to

the cataloguing, notation, and description of extended techniques have been

published, including Daniel Kientzy’s Les sons multiples aux saxophones,15 L’art

du saxophone16, and Saxologie;17 Ronald Caravan’s Preliminary Exercises &

Etudes in Contemporary Techniques for Saxophone;18 and Jay C. Easton’s

Writing for Saxophones.19 While these are excellent resources for composers

writing for the saxophone, for performers and teachers, they provide only a

cursory understanding of the techniques, not a systematic way of learning and

teaching them.

Early 2010 saw the creation of Jean-Denis Michat’s electronic resource

Un saxophone contemporain,20 available exclusively as a downloadable .pdf from

his website, http://www.jdmichat.com. It is a 100-page resource designed to help

advanced saxophonists grapple with various performance issues. Michat devotes

nearly 40 pages of his resource to extended techniques, though he favors the

15 Daniel Kientzy, Les sons multiples aux saxophones (Paris: Editions Salabert, 2000). 16 Daniel Kientzy, L’art du saxophone (Paris: 2003). 17 Daniel Kientzy, Saxologie: du potentiel acoustico expressif de 7 saxophones (Paris: Nova Musica, 2002). 18 Ronald L. Caravan, Preliminary Exercises & Etudes in Contemporary Techniques for Saxophone Introductory Material for the Study of Multiphonics, Quarter Tones, & Timbre Variation (United States: Ethos, 1979). 19 Jay C. Easton, Writing for Saxophones: A Guide to the Tonal Palette of the Saxophone Family for Composers, Arrangers, and Performers (Thesis (D. Mus. Arts)—University of Washington, 2006). 20 Jean-Denis Michat, Un saxophone contemporain (Paris: www.jdmichat.com, 2010).

7

term “techniques avancées,” or “advanced techniques.” This type of resource is

extremely useful for advanced saxophone students who are working with a

professor who can coach students through the pages and guide them on the finer

points of developing these techniques.

No other resource provides a more integrated and pedagogy-focused

approach to extended techniques than Michat’s, but it is not without limitations.

First, it is only available in French, which presents a problem for many students

and teachers in North America and abroad. Second, the author intends his work

for only the most advanced students. As stated in the work’s subtitle, the work is

“for the use of students in [the final stages of conservatory] and future

professors.”21 Third, though Michat does provide a more systematic approach to

extended techniques, his method lacks the support necessary to reassure

students (and educators) that they are on the correct path toward mastering a

particular technique. Finally, the exercises included and/or suggested in the

resource are useful only after a student can perform a specific technique

successfully, which can lead to mastery of a technique, but does not develop the

skills necessary to perform a technique successfully for the first time.

Justification of the Study

There are numerous pedagogical resources geared toward establishing

facility with traditional saxophone techniques like tone production, articulation,

intonation, and vibrato, and scholars have organized their materials in a variety of

21 “a l’usage des étudiants de troisieme cycle et des futures professeurs”

8

ways. Many of these techniques have been passed down from teacher to student

through the years, but some exercises exist in printed form. For example, in the

French conservatoire tradition of technique standardization, Jean-Marie

Londeix’s oeuvre of pedagogical resources spans across numerous volumes,

each devoted to the mastery of a single technique. Other pedagogues, such as

legendary American teacher Larry Teal, took a more comprehensive approach,

consolidating various skills and techniques into a single book.22 In terms of

etudes, the classic etudes most saxophone teachers tend to use in the United

States and France are “borrowed” from other instruments, like oboe (Ferling23) or

violin (Mule,24 Londeix25). Currently, there is no consolidated, systematic

resource for developing extended techniques on the saxophone. Before this

study, there has been no empirical evidence of a consensus of pedagogical

approach among college-level teachers. Perhaps even more troubling than the

lack of pedagogical resources related to learning extended techniques, there

exists very few published resources for teachers who are interested in becoming

more effective educators in this area, and very little opportunity in the context of a

busy academic year for conversation and collaboration about pedagogy.

22 Larry Teal, The Art of Saxophone Playing (Princeton, N.J.: Summy-Birchard), 1976. 23 Franz Wilhelm Ferling and Albert J. Andraud, 48 Famous Studies for Oboe or Saxophone And 3 Duos Concertants for 2 Oboes or 2 Saxophones (San Antonio: Southern Music Co.),1958. 24 Marcel Mule, Études variées dans toutes les tonalities (Paris: A. Leduc, Editions Musicales), 1970. 25 Jean-Marie Londeix, Nouvelles études variées: dans tous les tons d'après Blumenstengel, Dont, Gaviniès, Paganini et Rode (avec suraigu). Paris: A. Leduc, 1986. 

9

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to identify the methods respected saxophone

educators in the United States and France use to teach extended techniques to

their students, compare these methods, and identify any common ideas or

practices that could be pedagogically useful. Specifically, the study will focus on

four techniques:

1) circular breathing

2) slap-tonguing

3) multiple tonguing

4) multiphonics

Research Questions

Some specific research questions addressed by this study include:

1.) What strategies do college-level saxophone teachers use to teach extended

techniques?

2.) What foundational techniques or skills should students develop before

attempting specific extended techniques? Why?

3.) What technical problems do students commonly face when learning

extended techniques for the first time, and how do teachers diagnose and

improve these issues?

4.) What impact does equipment have on the successful performance of a

technique?

5.) How often are students successful at learning extended techniques?

10

CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The subject of learning and performing extended techniques on the

saxophone is a topic of frequent discussion among participants on Internet

forums like www.saxontheweb.com. Students who struggle with these techniques

tend to seek out others who have been successful with them for advice, and in

some cases, teachers who are having difficulty communicating with students

about extended techniques are also able to connect and share ideas. While this

type of virtual camaraderie can be very valuable because of the absence of

foundational scholarship in this area, it can also be problematic; because of the

anonymous nature of an Internet forum, the advice participants provide may not

be founded in the accurate, careful pedagogy such as one would expect from a

university or conservatory-level educator.

Saxophonists seeking a manual or set of manageable etudes to better

understand the mechanism of extended techniques will be disappointed. At this

time, most of the scholarship relating to these techniques is not geared toward

performers and students, but rather to composers who are interested in using

extended techniques in new works for the instrument. These resources can be

useful as a reference for performers, but with few exceptions, they do not provide

satisfactory technical information about the production of the effect; they tend to

address notational options, technical parameters, and performance practice. This

information is valuable to the saxophonists, but only after the successful

production of the desired effect. This chapter is divided into four subsections, one

11

for each technique covered in this document: (2.1) circular breathing, (2.2) slap-

tonguing, (2.3) multiple tonguing, and (2.4) multiphonics. In Subsection 2.1, the

evaluated literature includes some scholarship and resources for instruments

other than saxophone. For example, when learning to circular breathe, it is

necessary to master the mechanism of the technique before it is practical to

attempt its application to a specific instrument. In other cases, multiphonics, for

example, the technique or effect is too particular to the saxophone (fingerings) to

gain useful insight from scholarship aimed at other instruments.

2.1 Circular Breathing

In a very brief article in The Double Reed,26 Sandro Caldini responds to a

philiosophical article by Malcom Messiter on circular breathing. The main

purpose of the article is to reaffirm Messiter's nomenclature of the technique. He

favors the term "cyclical breathing," as there is actually nothing circular about the

technique. Caldini maintains that the nose cannot function in two ways at once,

so performers should view the breath as a cycle. From a pedagogical viewpoint,

Caldini suggests that students practice the technique by first inhaling only from

the nose when practicing to become accustomed to the way that it feels, then

breathing out with the nose while playing.

26 Sandro Caldini, "Circular Breathing," Double Reed 29, no. 4 (December 2006): 139.

12

While tubist Paul Nobis's opinion of only taking breaths with the nose

when circular breathing is congruent with that of Caldini,27 his method places

more importance on the control of various muscle groups during the inhalation

and exhalation. He presents a three-phase process for developing the circular

breath in which the first two phases are completed without the instrument.

Nobis's method focuses attention on the muscle groups used in breathing

and teaches students to isolate specific groups of muscles individually.28

According to Nobis, the ability to isolate these muscle groups will help students

avoid storing air in their cheeks and allow for the capability to store a reserve of

air in the lungs, which he claims is more effective. Though he does not provide

empirical evidence to substantiate this claim, he completed significant medical

research on the muscle groups associated with breathing, and suggests for

performers and students interested in the technique to learn the functions of

numerous muscles and muscle groups, which he lists in his appendices.

Robert Dick, a flutist, composer, and specialist in extended techniques

takes a more systematic approach to teaching the circular breath.29 Because

resistance plays an important role in the mechanism of circular breathing (more

resistance or back pressure from the instrument causes the technique to be less

challenging), the flute, an instrument with extremely little resistance, is a

challenging instrument on which to attempt the circular breath. Dick states that

the process of circular breathing on flute is possible, but requires a two-year

27 Paul Nobis, "Circular Breathing Defined," ITEA Journal 36, no. 2: 101. 28 Ibid, 102. 29 Robert Dick, "Circular breathing--you can do it," Instrumentalist, (February 1987): 62.

13

commitment of practicing a set of six exercises he provides for 10-15 minutes per

day.30

Although information regarding the embouchure is not valid for the

saxophonist, his methods for developing the mechanism of the breath are

valuable. In two such exercises, he provides ways to develop the skill of playing

a note in a comfortable register using only the air stored in the cheeks. Dick also

recommends that students practice holding water in the mouth while completing

an inhalation if he or she is confused by the process of holding air in the cheeks

while inhaling through the nose.

Robert Dick's exercises are similar to those suggested by saxophonist

Trent Kynaston in Circular Breathing for the Wind Performer,31 a lengthy and

detailed resource for the development of this technique that predates Dick's

article by nearly a decade. Kynaston is professor emeritus at University of

Western Michigan, and he designed this book to apply to all wind instruments.

He takes a physical approach similar to that of Nobis, but rather than outlining

the form of the musculature and its effect on breathing, he defines the effect

various types of breathing has on the body. Kynaston identifies three types of

breath, including the low, middle and high. After a detailed description of these

breaths’ respective efficacy, he makes it clear that before attempting the circular

breath, the musician must be able to breathe as effectively as possible, and

without conscious thought.

30 Lenny Pickett claims that learning to circular breathe will take most saxophonists one week of "diligent practice." 31 Trent P., Kynaston, Circular Breathing for the Wind Performer (Lebanon, Ind: Studio P/R), 1978.

14

More recently, circular breathing has become of interest to scholars of

history and even pop culture. Richard Schwartz wrote a two article series in

Saxophone Journal in early 2005,32 at a time when there was some concern

about whether circular breathing could be hazardous to a musician's health. The

first article focuses on the early history of circular breathing, including a

description of ancient instruments that used the technique.

The second article, which appears in the March issue, addresses this fear

of the physical dangers of circular breathing by examining its source. Much of the

fear of circular breathing in the early 2000s was caused by an article that

appeared in the December 1999 issue of the British Medical Journal by Kinra and

Okasha titled "Unsafe sax: cohort study of the impact of too much sax on the

mortality of famous jazz musicians."33 The article claims that there was a link

between circular breathing and early death, especially among American

saxophonists. The claims were completely unsubstantiated in the article, but it

was published, and later the Washington Post printed the story. Unfortunately,

the authors intended the submission as a joke. The Washington Post printed a

retraction after being contacted by the authors of the study.

32 Richard A. Schwartz, "Circular breathing, part I: Early history & usage with musical instruments," Saxophone Journal, (January 2005): 36-37. 33 Sanjay Kinra and Mona Okasha, "Unsafe Sax: Cohort Study of the Impact of Too Much Sax on the Mortality of Famous Jazz Musicians". BMJ: British Medical Journal: 319, no. 7225: 1612.

15

2.2 Slap Tonguing

The saxophone slap tongue, or “slap” is a percussive effect created by the

sound of the reed rebounding and hitting the mouthpiece. There are numerous

types of slap effects, but the two most common are the “open,” or “unpitched”

slap, which has little to no pitch content, and the “closed” or “melodic” slap, which

has the clear resonance of a pitch after the initial attack. Both techniques are

frequently required in advanced solo and ensemble literature for the saxophone,

as well as occasional use in music for bands and wind ensemble.

At the time of printing, very little scholarly research has been completed

on the mechanism of slap tonguing. Jean-Marie Londeix mentions it briefly in his

book,34 but he does not deeply investigate the technique beyond a discussion of

notational conventions.

Evidently, the first pedagogical resource aimed at classical saxophonists

trying to slap tongue was in the Saxophone Journal in November of 1988.35 This

article by David Pituch, a faculty member of DePaul University, is anecdotal in

tone, and lacks sufficient expositional description concerning the mechanism of

the slap for a reader to be able to properly perform the technique. For example,

Pituch writes, “While no air is expended into the instrument during a slap tongue,

good diaphragm support must be used. Why? I don’t know why, except that while

playing, the instrument and performer are one and inseparable, intertwined and

34 Jean-Marie Londeix, William Street, and Anna Street, Hello! Mr. Sax (Paris: Editions Musicales Alphonse Leduc, 1989). 35 David Pituch, “Slap Tonguing: Method Over Madness,” Saxophone Journal 13, no. 3 (Nov./Dec. 1988): 46.

16

mutually dependent.”36 Pituch also advocates playing exclusively in the low

register when practicing the slap, since the technique is more difficult in the

upper register of the instrument.

About a year after Pituch’s article, Steven Mauk, an American saxophonist

and professor of saxophone at Ithaca College, took over responsibility for the

“Creative Teaching Techniques” column in the Saxophone Journal. Mauk

became a frequent contributor to The Saxophone Journal throughout the 1990s.

As a part of his “Creative Teaching Techniques” series, he wrote numerous

instructional columns about extended techniques, including an article on slap

tonguing.37

Mauk agrees with Pituch that practice sessions involving slaps should

initially be restricted to the low register, but similarities in their respective

approaches end there. Mauk suggests a thorough, methodical approach for

helping students identify the sound, practice without the saxophone, and then

slowly work to make the sound on the instrument. Following success producing

the effect, Mauk advocates discretion on when to use the technique, cautioning

that “players and teachers will have to decide whether the use of slap tonging in

these pieces [Sonata by Heiden and Concertino da Camera by Ibert] are

appropriate today or merely ‘corny.’” 38

36 Ibid. 37 Steven Mauk, “Teaching Students to Slap Tongue,” Saxophone Journal 14, no. 1 (July/Aug. 1989): 41. 38 Ibid.

17

Jean-Denis Michat’s approach39 is very similar in scope to that of Steve

Mauk, except that he suggests practicing on the mouthpiece and neck until the

student is able to make “the splendid sound of a cork popping [from a bottle]40.”41

2.3 Multiple Tonguing

Double-tonguing and triple-tonguing is an indispensable technique for

flutists and many brass musicians; however, the technique is less straight

forward for other members of the woodwind family, due to the mouthpiece or

reed, which rests inside the oral cavity when playing. All the same, double-

tonguing is not a new technique for the saxophone. Rudy Wiedoeft, who was well

known for his prowess at double-tonguing, wrote one of the first pedagogical

resources for multiple tonguing. In this book, he claims to have the ability to

articulate everything [sixteenth notes] up to around 208 beats per minute.42 The

book consists mainly of etudes and anecdotes with little instructional content.

Larry Teal also weighed in on the topic in his The Art of Saxophone

Playing.43 Although he devotes only a little over one whole page to the technique,

he offers a very methodical approach that explains physical requirements and

offers clear exercises to refine the skill. He suggests that saxophonists practice

39 Jean-Denis Michat, Un saxophone contemporain (Paris: www.jdmichat.com, 2010): 28. 40 “un splendide bruit de bouchon.” 41 Ibid. 42 Rudy Wiedoeft, Rudy Wiedoeft's secret of staccato: for the saxophone, (New York: Robbins Music), 1938. 43 Larry Teal, The Art of Saxophone Playing. (Secaucus, NJ: Summy-Birchard, 1963), 85-86.

18

the second syllable, in this case, “Ku,” until it is indistinguishable from the first

syllable, “Tu.” After the student has succeeded this first step, he or she may

move on to practicing the two syllables together. If a softer attack is necessary,

Teal writes that students my replace the “Tu Ku” syllables with “Da Ga.” Teal

ends his section on double-tonguing with a brief application of the technique to

triple-tonguing. Interestingly, he ends this section of his book with a note of

caution, “A good single staccato must be acquired before attempting to develop

the double tongue. It is a controversial type of articulation, and should be

considered only as an addition to the basic tools in the performer’s kit.”44

Jean-Denis Michat seems to hold to the same basic principles of Larry

Teal, but a few refinements.45 Rather than changing syllables in order to obtain

different expressive attacks, Michat suggests changing syllables as a function of

register. From G4 to C5, he believes that saxophonists should use a “Deh-Geh”

type syllable; that from F#4 to B♭3 they should use “Teh-Keh,” and for the highest

notes, from B4 to G5 they should use “Deh-Yeh.” His description of the triple-

tongue is almost identical to that of Teal.

In Keith R. Young’s “Saxophone Double Tongueing [sic] Masterclass,” in

the Saxophone Journal,46 he sites both Teal47 and Wiedoeft.48 His article is

44 Ibid, 86. 45 Jean-Denis Michat, Un saxophone contemporain (Paris: www.jdmichat.com, 2010), 32. 46 Keith R. Young, “Saxophone Double Tongueing [sic],” Saxophone Journal 24, no. 2 (Nov/Dec 1999), 54-57. 47 Larry Teal, The Art of Saxophone Playing. (Secaucus, NJ: Summy-Birchard, 1963), 85-86. 48 Rudy Wiedoeft, Rudy Wiedoeft's secret of staccato: for the saxophone (New York: Robbins Music), 1938.

19

organized into categories: A Brief History, My Introduction to the Double Tongue

Technique, Why Should I Double Tongue, Rudy Wiedoeft, Practical Applications,

Important Practice Hints, and Daily Exercises. The original printing of the

Saxophone Journal also includes a demonstration CD. In terms of syllables,

Young prefers “Dah Gah,” and suggests that performers always aim for a legato,

very connected articulation no matter what the indication is by the composer. He

also suggests only practicing in small amounts of time at first. His seven

exercises are to be completed with the metronome with an ultimate goal tempo of

160+ beats per minute, and mainly consist of repeated notes, scalar passages,

or arpeggios in sixteenth notes.

2.4 Multiphonics

All woodwind instruments are capable of producing multiphonics, or

complex sounds consisting of more than one tone. Saxophonists, and indeed, all

woodwind players, can produce multiphonics on their instruments in two ways: by

playing a note while singing, or by using a special fingering and adjusting the

embouchure, throat or air flow. The saxophone family possesses an extremely

rich palette of multiphonic sounds from which to draw, and numerous composers

have used these sounds in their compositions, especially since Denisov’s

aforementioned Sonate.

There are numerous resources available to saxophonists that deal with

multiphonics, but most of them focus on fingerings or notational conventions.

20

Kientzy’s Les sons multiples aux saxophones,49 is the first scholarly resource to

include multiphonic fingerings for sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone

saxophone with a transcribed notation of the accompanying sound. It remains the

most comprehensive resource for multiphonic fingerings. The fingerings are also

categorized by their corresponding multiphonic’s dynamic range, difficulty to

produce, and speed of possible articulation. The resource is very valuable to

composers and performers alike, but contains very little information on how to

produce the sound. Another problem with Kientzy’s book is that he researched

and catalogued his fingerings on early-model Selmer Paris Mark VI saxophones;

so many of his fingerings do not work as intended, or at all on contemporary

instruments. Londeix’s book50 includes many of the same fingerings as Kientzy,

but is not as extensive, containing only fingerings for soprano, alto and tenor

saxophone. Londeix collaborated with Massimo Mazzoni for his book, and

focused on fingerings that “require no special preparation.”51 American

saxophonist Ken Dorn’s book52 is very similar to these two, but the transcriptions

of the multiphonic sounds are less accurate (they include only half steps—no

microtones) and the organization of the sound is more sporadic.

49 Daniel Kientzy, Les sons multiples aux saxophones (Paris: Editions Salabert, 1982). 50 Jean-Marie Londeix, William Street, and Anna Street, Hello! Mr. Sax (Paris: Editions Musicales Alphonse Leduc, 1989). 51 Ibid, 31. 52 Ken Dorn, Multiphonics. (US: Dorn Productions, 1975).

21

Thomas Bergeron’s doctoral essay, Saxophone Multiphonics: A Scalar

Model,53 provides a great deal of historical information on saxophone

multiphonics, and is an excellent resource for the acoustical principals that

govern multiphonic sounds. His primary focus centers on organizing multiphonics

into a scalar model to create a more analytical way to approach them; he

includes very little information on the actual production of a multiphonic, as this is

outside the boundaries of his study.

53 Thomas Bergeron, Saxophone Multiphonics: A Scalar Model. Thesis (D.M.A.) — University of Oregon, 1989.

22

CHAPTER 3 METHOD

This project compares the teaching strategies for extended techniques

among the participating French and American higher education saxophone

teachers. Their responses, provided through e-mails and e-mailed

questionnaires, have shown that the limited amount of existing printed exercises

and scholarship in this area has had an impact on their ideas and procedures;

however, at the time of printing, there exists no specific resource devoted to

helping students and teachers learn to initially produce, refine, and master

extended techniques.

The Participants

Participants selected for project in this study all meet the following criteria:

1. Full-time employment as instructor at a University or Conservatory

2. A history of performance, scholarship, publication, or masterclass activity

regarding extended techniques

3. Recorded evidence of the successful use of extended techniques in their

own musical performances

4. A reputation for being an active performer and teacher within the realm of

contemporary or avant garde music, as indicated by conference and

recital appearances.

The interview participants and their institutions are listed in Table 3.1

23

Table 3.1 Interview Participants

Serge Bertocchi Professor of Saxophone, Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional d’Amiens, France

Marie-Bernadette Charrier Artistic Director of Proxima Centauri, Vice President of l’ASAX, Professor of Saxophone and Contemporary Chamber Music, Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Bordeaux, France and CEFEDEM, Aquitaine

David Dees Associate Professor of Saxophone Texas Tech University

Geoffrey Deibel Visiting Assistant Professor of Saxophone University of Florida

Philippe Geiss Professor of Saxophone Conservatoire de Strasbourg, and Pôle Alsace d’Enseignement Supérieur des Arts, France

Jeffrey Heisler Assistant Professor of Saxophone Kent State University

Timothy Roberts Associate Professor of Saxophone Shenandoah Conservatory

John Sampen Distinguished Artist Professor Bowling Green State University

Rhonda Taylor College Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Music Theory New Mexico State University

Kenneth Tse Professor of Saxophone University of Iowa

James Umble Professor of Saxophone Youngstown State University

24

Interview Procedures

Participants in the project responded to a series of electronic

questionnaires by email. In this case, in which many questions required careful

reflection and evaluation, such an asynchronous form of communication was

preferable to telephone or in-person interviews so that participants had more

liberty to reflect on their responses. Additionally, because the interview

participants represent an extraordinarily busy section of the population, this

format allowed them to complete the project at their convenience.

Potential participants were informed by e-mail that they were not required

to participate for each technique, only those that they felt comfortable discussing

in a public forum. They were also not required to answer each question, and they

were informed that they reserved final editorial approval of their comments.

Since this project deals with the teaching techniques and philosophies of

teachers in France and the United states, two versions of the questionnaires

exist: one in French, and the other in English. These two questionnaires are

fundamentally identical with a few exceptions. For example, the translations of

the document, and indeed all the translations included in this project, are not

literal, but idiomatic; rather than being word for word representation of a

participant’s writing, the translations convey the same level of eloquence and

precision in both languages, such that a native speaker in each would expect. I

translated all French to English, and all English to French. If the participant spoke

English but the interview was conducted in French, the participant approved the

translation for final inclusion in this document. All relevant email responses and

25

their translations are included in the four appendices, which are organized by

technique, and then in alphabetical order by the participant’s last name.

Interpretation of the Data

Upon the successful completion of the interviews and translations, the first

task was to divide the data into groups by specific technique. After this initial

reorganization, I searched for commonalities among the strategies and methods

used by the participants. Three or more incidents of a common strategy resulted

in its inclusion in the Results and Discussion chapter. Any incident of an obvious

contradiction between teachers was also included, as were any especially

insightful or unique ideas. The Results and Discussion chapter contains four

subsections: one for each technique. These subsections also include references

for any other relevant published materials suggested by the interview

participants, including material profiled in the review of relevant literature.

26

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter integrates the results of the study described in Chapter Two

with a discussion of the implications of those results. Due to the nature of this

research, a combined format that allows for greater interaction among the

participants’ data is more beneficial than the traditional separate “Results” and

“Discussion” format. This chapter consists of four subsections, one for each

technique discussed in this study.

4.1 Circular Breathing

I held my breath as we do sometimes to stop time when something wonderful has touched us...

― Mary Oliver, New and Selected Poems, Vol. 2

Before a discussion of the methods for teaching the mechanism of circular

breathing, it is important to provide a context for the technique in the concert

saxophone world, and especially with regard to the participants in this study. Of

the four techniques examined in this study, circular breathing and multiphonics

are the only two that a significant number of participants suggest students

younger than college-age learn. Four out of ten participants suggest that high

school saxophonists should devote serious study to circular breathing before

going to college. Of the remaining six participants, five believe that all

27

saxophonists should study circular breathing at some point during their

undergraduate studies.

All of the aforementioned teachers state that an ability to successfully

circular breathe is crucial to success as a graduate-level saxophonist. James

Umble, professor of saxophone at Youngstown State University, also mentioned

the importance of the technique for saxophonists interested in competitions:

“[Circular breathing] is now an important skill, required for significant modern

repertoire…for anyone aspiring to compete in international competitions, I

consider it essential now.” Only one participant suggests that a student may not

need to study circular breathing at all, depending his or her repertoire decisions.

Interestingly, despite an impressive consensus on the importance of

circular breathing for future success as a concert saxophonist, only three out of

the ten participants integrate it into their prescribed undergraduate saxophone

curriculum. This anomaly is explicable for a few reasons. As indicated from the

participating professors’ responses, college-aged students tend to be very

interested in circular breathing, either from encountering older students doing it

(as is the case in John Sampen’s studio) or due to an aspiration to perform

specific repertoire. Students often bring up circular breathing in lessons, so it

seems to be less necessary to integrate it at a specific time. As Rhonda Taylor

observes, “Circular breathing doesn’t require any preliminary saxophone-specific

skills, so anyone can work on it at any point in his/her education…” James Umble

notes that simply teaching fundamentals and traditional techniques tends to

occupy a large amount of time, but he still makes time “through brief weekly

28

check-ups” on extended techniques until the student has mastered it enough to

integrate it into scales and eventually, repertoire.

The research suggests that for the participating teachers, a student’s

ability to make repertoire choices without anxiety about a lack of technical ability

is a principal concern—especially for graduate students and advanced

undergraduates. Jeffrey Heisler, Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Kent State

University writes, “I believe circular breathing…is important to be cultivated as an

undergraduate because many of the core repertoire involving contemporary

techniques for saxophone requires circular breathing. As a graduate student,

circular breathing is vital to perform the prerequisite repertoire required for

advanced saxophone study.” For the majority of the participants, repertoire is an

important reason saxophonists should be able to circular breathe. In particular,

the works of Christian Lauba factor into this belief; five participants mention him

or his works by name in their responses (especially Balafon,54 his concert etude

for circular breathing), along with works by Thierry Alla, Betsy Jolas, and Marie-

Hélène Fournier. Although numerous American composers have written

saxophone music that requires circular breathing, no participant named a non-

French composer in his or her responses.

Although it is true that many modern works require circular breathing,

French saxophonist and pedagogue Marie-Bernadette Charrier cautions that

circular breathing is not a modern technique: “This technique is ancestral. We

tend to associate it frequently with today’s music, but there are many Classical

54 Christian Lauba, Neuf études pour saxophones en 4 cahiers = Nine etudes for saxophones in 4 books (Paris: A. Leduc, 1996). 

29

[period] works that require long phrases of uninterrupted sound.” Legendary

saxophonist John Sampen echoes this sentiment when pondering the

performance of transcriptions on the saxophone, “There are moments in Bach’s

music where circular breathing is wonderful….”

While the profiled teachers are quick to agree that this technique is

important for students to know, in application it becomes more controversial.

Teachers agree that the technique can be “misused,” but some teachers appear

to be more concerned with an inappropriate musical use while others are

concerned with the technical application of the technique. Philippe Geiss,

Professor of Saxophone at the Conservatoire de Strasbourg in Northern France

speaks about the importance of understanding phrasing so that a student avoids

performing a circular breath on a long note. Likewise, American professor

Timothy Roberts, formerly of the United States Navy Band, believes that “if

[students] can’t [circular breathe] smoothly in context…they shouldn’t do it.”

Serge Bertocchi, professor of saxophone at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement

Régional (CRR) d’Amiens voices the sentiments shared by many of the profiled

teachers regarding students’ “inappropriate” use of circular breathing when he

amplifies his own internal monologue about the technique for students: “When do

you NEED to play without stopping the air?” He, along with many others, believes

that the communication of the musical phrase is of the utmost importance for a

successful performance. He observes that the best musicians “always use

technical means in relationship with the musical needs.” In other words, the

technique should serve the music; the music should never serve the technique.

30

As James Umble says, “One must always seek to phrase and breathe in a

musical way, and so each musical context determines such decisions.”

The idea that a breath is an integral part of the musical phrase is a

philosophy shared by many of the participants of this study; this very concept is

responsible for much of the controversy surrounding circular breathing. Teachers

communicate the importance of developing a sensitivity to the musical phrase to

their students in a variety of ways. Geoffrey Deibel, Visiting Assistant Professor

of Saxophone at Florida State University supplies his students with a metaphor:

“A breath is part of the musical line. Where the phrases pause or end is where

breaths should fall. Many times string players will breathe with their phrases as

well…I encourage students to think of their performance of phrases as if they’re

engaging in public speaking—phrasing works almost the same way in music as it

does in language. The breath in the latter case is the comma or the period.”

John Sampen proposes an interesting solution, again using the music of

J.S. Bach: “Sometimes the use of [circular breathing] constricts a player’s

thought process about phrase endings and cadences and it can overtake other

musical considerations…It may be useful to first approach compositions by

planning out musical phrases and breathing points, and then later substituting the

circular breathing.”

While all the other profiled teachers tended to identify with either technical

or musical concerns for phrasing, Rhonda Taylor, Assistant Professor of

Saxophone at New Mexico State University speaks about both—and offers

solutions for both as well. She first addresses the problem of when to circular

31

breathe: “Most music has some sort of tension/release as part of its surface

structure, so of course breathing after points of release allows for the most

seamless sense of motion. When music is constructed to be without

tension/release, in other words, is intentionally static…this is much more difficult

and [is] usually where circular breathing becomes necessary.” She also

humorously discusses students’ frustrations regarding knowing when to breathe:

“Some think they need to take a breath every four seconds (wimps) and complain

when I suggest otherwise, and others think they can play indefinitely (heroes)

and are surprised when they have to drop the ends of phrases in performance. In

both cases, it’s a matter of perception that needs to be more realistic.” To

improve students’ self-awareness, she suggests timed long tones, which she

believes also improves control and stamina.

While stamina becomes very important during the refining process of the

technique, most of the teachers in this study agree that the best way to start the

process of teaching circular breathing is without equipment. Sampen and Umble

both begin the process by having students survey a variety of articles and

printouts about the technique before moving on to practical application. Some of

these articles are saxophone specific, and are referenced in Appendix One of

this document, but others are geared toward clarinetists, or even didgeridoo

players.

Geoffrey Deibel and Rhonda Taylor both have students begin by

practicing blowing a stable air stream without an instrument. Taylor also uses an

idea she learned from a former teacher of hers, Kelland Thomas, in which the

32

student blows the air onto his or her palm in order to feel the consistency of the

air stream.

Following these exercises, both Deibel and Taylor continue with an

exercise also used by Jeffrey Heisler and Timothy Roberts that involves more

specialized equipment: a tall glass of water and a drinking straw. When students

blow air into the water through the straw, bubbles appear, which represents a

visual indication of the air stream. If a student can keep the bubbles going, he or

she is successful at the circular breath. There are numerous benefits to this

technique, but especially important is the back pressure provided by the water:

the more water and/or pressure from the teeth on the straw, the more back

pressure on the air stream and the easier it is to complete the circular breath.

Deibel elaborates on the exercise thusly: “The main purpose for using water is for

the positive reinforcement of seeing bubbles being produced continuously.

Obviously one of the major faults people have in starting this technique is trying

to control the automatic response to breathe in using the mouth. If a student does

this while using a straw and water, they will likely swallow some water and

minimally choke themselves. It only takes a few times of chocking on water for

students to realize they should avoid breathing in the mouth. In this case, fear of

choking on water is a wonderful motivator.”

While such a technique may look mildly barbaric to the uninitiated, one of

the primary tasks of a teacher who wishes to teach circular breathing (and many

other extended techniques) is to help students overcome psychological obstacles

that exist between their current understanding of what is possible and what

33

actually is possible. The mechanism of the technique is quite simple, but it can

be challenging for some students to “reprogram” their past habits in order to

achieve it for the first time. Philippe Geiss writes that “psychological and physical

relaxation” are important factors in this technique.

When a student is able to create a cycle of circular breaths with the straw

and water, and sustain this practice for a while, most teachers in this study apply

the skill to the instrument—but not the whole instrument. Following the theory

that circular breathing is easier with more resistance,55 the smaller the tube

through which one completes a circular breath, the more back pressure will exist,

and therefore, the easier the circular breath will be to produce. So, several

teachers in this study suggest beginning with either a small saxophone—either

the soprano or the alto, or just the mouthpiece and neck. Once a student is

successful at producing the desired effect on the neck, he or she should progress

to the saxophone.

Rhonda Taylor has students perform the technique by slowly lengthening

the tube (by playing from open C# down chromatically) and thereby increasing

the difficulty. Heisler suggests having students practice the circular breath while

playing a trill in the upper-mid register. This early integration of digital technique

while completing the circular breath is similar to strategies used by Philippe

Geiss, Marie-Bernadette Charrier, and James Umble, who have students

integrate the technique into their scales, improvise loops or play calm, relatively

55 Geoffrey Deibel, John Sampen, Rhonda Taylor 

34

easy technical passages, such as one finds in the first five pages of Balafon56 by

Christian Lauba.

After a student has completed initial exercises in circular breathing and

has achieved success performing the mechanism associated with it, he or she

must refine the technique so that it is imperceptible.57 Teachers seem especially

interested in the stability and seamlessness of the timbre throughout technique,

in all registers, and at all dynamics. The only professor who indicated an ability to

perform the technique for an extended period of time as an important indicator of

success is John Sampen.

Articulation while circular breathing poses problems for most

saxophonists, but according to Jeffrey Heisler, with “dedication and

perseverance,” it is possible to achieve. Sampen works on simultaneous circular

breathing and articulation only with advanced students. Of the seven participants

who teach simultaneous articulation and circular breathing, all of them claim to

do so only if a piece a student is working on necessitates it.

Like circular breathing itself, students must overcome a psychological

hurdle in order to articulate while performing the technique. Charrier gives the

example of a work dedicated to her: Thierry Alla’s work for solo soprano

saxophone, Digital.58 In addition to requiring the saxophonist to perform over 60

different multiphonic fingerings over the course of the six minute work, he or she

must also be able to articulate as fast as possible while circular breathing. Digital

56 Christian Lauba, Neuf études pour saxophones en 4 cahiers = Nine etudes for saxophones in 4 books (Paris: A. Leduc, 1996). 57 Bertocchi, Charrier, Dees, Deibel, Geiss 58 Thierry Alla, Digital: pour saxophone soprano seul (Paris: A. Leduc, 2003). 

35

is something of a signature piece for Charrier, and she has worked with students

on it and the technique of articulating while circular breathing for many years.

“This technique is possible,” she promises; “One must learn to control the

independent movement of the tongue and respiration—to not have one be

dependent on the other. This type of practice is tied to the development of a

deeper self-understanding; to know and remember our internal sensations and to

then control them.”

Students who are frustrated during the first phases of learning about

circular breathing can take solace in the fact that of the ten professors who

participated in this study, eight reported that in their entire careers of teaching,

they had never seen a student fail to be able to circular breathe.59 John Sampen

helpfully points out, “Most can attain at least minimal success. However, if one

cannot breathe through the nose, then the technique of circular breathing cannot

be successful.”

4.2 Slap Tonguing

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue.

— James 3:7-8 (NIV) For many classical saxophonists, of all the extended techniques described

in this document, the most challenging to teach and learn is a percussive

articulation called slap tongue. In fact, many saxophonists are not able to perform

59 Two professors declined to respond to this question. 

36

the technique; some even believe it may not be possible for everyone. “…The

slap is a tricky technique, few musicians (even professionals) can ever do it,”

says Serge Bertocchi. “It might be a question of hereditary tongue flexibility, but

this is only a personal hypothesis.” Marie-Bernadette Charrier disagrees, stating

that with correct preparation and practice, anyone who has a tongue can slap

tongue — it may just take a great deal of time depending on the individual.

Every participant in this study agrees that undergraduate saxophonists

should devote study to the technique; many believe that this study should begin

before college, which some, like Philippe Geiss, suggesting that even beginners

integrate it into their first years on the saxophone. In light of the successes

experienced by students of the participants in this study, it seems clear that at

least most people are capable of performing a slap tongue of some quality; that

in essence, the “tongue can be tamed,” despite the rather bleak sentiment found

in the book of James.

The first task a teacher must accomplish is that of defining the slap. John

Sampen’s definition is one of the most succinct: “The slap tongue involves the

creation of a suction between one’s tongue and the reed, which can create a

“pop” sound when released.” This “pop” occurs when the reed rebounds and

strikes the mouthpiece; however, depending on the composer’s indications in the

music, this could represent not one, but many possible sounds, each requiring

different techniques. For the purposes of this study, the term “slap” refers only to

the two most common types of slap: the open, or unpitched slap, and the closed,

“pitched” slap.

37

The participants of this study unanimously agree that students should

differentiate carefully between the open slap and the closed slap. According to

Marie-Bernadette Charrier, “These are two different attacks, and above all, these

different slaps do not produce the same pitch. They are two different musical

gestures; very often, you cannot replace one with the other….” Such an emphatic

statement begs the question, “Why would a student want to replace a closed slap

with an open slap?” The answer lies in the typical evolution of a student’s

success with this technique: six out of eight participants in this study agree that

for their students, open slaps tend to be easier to achieve than closed slaps.

The open slap technically differs from the closed slap in a very clear way:

to achieve the open slap, one must open the mouth at the completion of the

technique, whereas for the closed slap, the mouth must remain closed.

Bertocchi, who has been very forthright about his difficulty with slap tonguing

when he was a student in Paris, defines the technique of the open slap and

offers a brief anecdote about his own experience: “The open slap is made by

opening the mouth when releasing the reed to magnify the percussive result. It is

often an easier, faster learned technique…. Actually, I tried for one year to learn

slap during my studies (at that time, I wasn’t helped much by my teacher, Daniel

Deffayet), all I could do was open slap, teeth on tongue.” Jeffrey Heisler offers

students a very clear instruction when teaching them to open slap by asking

them to take the mouthpiece into their mouth, place their tongue on the reed, and

“say the word ‘tuck’ while using a burst of air to propel the mouthpiece out the

mouth, this ‘popping’ the reed in the process.”

38

The closed slap is based on a similar concept, but is far more difficult for

most students to achieve, perhaps due to a high rate of variability among

students’ physiology: everyone’s tongue has a different shape, size, and

muscular strength. To help deal with this problem, the majority of the participants

in this study suggest beginning work on this technique without the whole

instrument, just as in circular breathing. Charrier suggests beginning the

technique with a discussion of tongue-placement for different kinds of attacks

and accents, and then progresses to a visual exercise. “The first step in

practicing the slap takes place in front of the mirror with the mouth open in order

to see that the movement of the tongue on the reed is independent from the

movement of the jaw. Very often, a student’s inability to perform the slap is a

question of the tongue’s lack of muscle-strength.” She often has students

practice holding their mouth open as wide as possible while, without moving their

jaw, they press their tongue to the roof of their mouths or against a reed held out

at a 90 degree angle from their upper teeth to “strengthen their tongues.” She

typically prescribes this sort of exercise for around a week before working on

creating the sound.

Like Charrier, Rhonda Taylor, Geoffrey Deibel and Jeffrey Heisler all

instruct students to begin practicing the technique by working only with the reed,

learning to create a pocket of suction with the tongue. Taylor talks to students

about “making a suction-cup shape” with their tongue whereas Deibel compares

the shape of the tongue to a spoon against the reed. According to Heisler,

“Finding the right spot in the middle of the tongue to create suction on the reed is

39

crucial. I often have students mimic the same gesture as “clicking” the tongue

with suction on the roof of the mouth.”

Timothy McAllister, professor of saxophone at Arizona State University,

notes that this “right spot” can be elusive and difficult to locate. A teacher cannot

simply provide a “correct” location to a student because of the physiological

differences between them. For example, McAllister claims that because he has

“a very long tongue,” he must place the tip of his tongue underneath his lip in

order to appropriately complete a slap tongue.60 If he teaches a student with a

very short tongue, the student would have to feel a very different sensation in his

or her mouth in order to accomplish the same basic technique.

Although the “suction cup” analogy is accurate, sometimes students have

difficulty visualizing this tongue shape. “They try a ‘kissing’ motion or some other

erroneous movement,” Geoffrey Deibel explains. “They often don’t understand

that the suction comes from the pressure of the tongue, which is understandably

counterintuitive.” If one were to place a suction cup onto a window without

pushing it down, it would simply fall off of the glass. The vacuum that ultimately

keeps it attached to the glass does not occur until all of the air in the suction cup

has been expelled by pressing it down flat against the glass. This vacuum seal

between the suction cup and the window is the same type of environment that

must exist between the tongue and the reed in order for this technique to be

successful. If a student does not exert satisfactory pressure with his or her

60 Timothy McAllister, e-mail message to author, November 2004. 

40

tongue against the reed, effectively closing off the mouthpiece before pulling it

back, the student will not be able to produce a slap, or indeed, any sound at all.

After a student is able to create enough suction with his or her tongue on

the reed that the reed “sticks” to it and pops lightly when pulled off with the

fingers, the student is ready to begin to add more parts of the instrument, a bit at

a time. Some participants advocate further honing of the technique with

practicing on the mouthpiece, while others suggest continuing the exercise

straight away with the mouthpiece on the saxophone neck.

Following more practice, as a student becomes more competent with the

technique and the teacher believes that the student has a firm grasp of the

mechanics of the slap tongue, it becomes useful to apply the skill to the entire

assembled instrument — but the choice of which member of the saxophone may

have an impact on student success. Concordantly, the participants of this study

believe that the technique of the slap is easier to achieve on low members of the

saxophone family; many of them suggest having students attempt slaps on tenor

or baritone before alto and soprano. This is a technique advocated heartily by

Jeffrey Heisler: “Learning to slap on larger instruments is great for students. It is

much easier to gain suction on baritone and tenor reeds/mouthpieces than alto

and soprano.” Rhonda Taylor uses this tactic as well, but tends to use the lower

saxophones with students who do not first achieve success after working on alto.

“Students who may be frustrated beginning slap tonguing on alto may have more

success beginning on tenor or baritone, and then moving up to alto and soprano

as they gain more precision and control.”

41

Taylor’s attempt to promote success with the technique by experimenting

with other setups also represents a creative way of alleviating student frustration.

According to David Dees, the biggest pitfall students encounter is “frustration with

lack of instant gratification.” Patience is an important tool for students of this

technique, which can take a great deal to time for students to master. Deibel

quips that learning to slap can take “anywhere from a day to six months — no

technique is harder to teach in my experience.” John Samen echoes Deibel’s

sentiment, saying “Generally the development of good slap tongues will take

about one year, but sometimes a student can master these overnight.” Certainly

this sort of variability in time frame causes Charrier’s theory of the importance of

tongue strength to carry more weight.

In terms of how much practice one must devote to slap tonguing,

philosophies vary quite a bit from participant to participant, and occasionally,

opinions seem to be contradictory. For example, Rhonda Taylor and Serge

Bertocchi’s experiences are very different. Taylor has seen success with her

students when they work for a short time on the technique each day rather than

practicing until they are too fatigued and then must avoid practicing it for several

days. It seems that for Bertocchi, who had a very difficult time learning to slap

tongue, finally found success after a short period of very intense, dedicated

practice: “During a summer session with [composer] Georges Aperghis, where

most of he musical material was [written] text, I had to practice all day for ten

days, almost only slap. At the end of the session, I could play a number of

42

different slaps, in different registers…and I was never able to understand why I

couldn’t do it before….”

Teachers identify success with slap tonguing in two contexts: success at

inserting the technique appropriately into repertoire, and attaining appropriate

clarity, consistency, pitch and dynamics. The application to the repertoire

requires in a mastery of several technical exercises first; slap tongue is rarely an

a technique that can be achieved at a satisfactory level by only practicing it in the

context of repertoire. As John Sampen observes, “there are plenty of ‘advanced’

resources for practicing slap tongues (e.g. music of Christian Lauba) but not

much for the beginner.” Serge Bertocchi has created a book of exercises to

address these skills,61 but it is difficult to get outside of France because there is

no international distributor or electronic edition. Charrier and Taylor both

integrate slaps with typical scale practice. Taylor has students perform scales

with slaps integrated into them, either a slap followed by a regular note or vice

versa. Either way, Taylor stresses the importance of using a metronome during

the process. Charrier uses similar exercises, but also integrates dynamics, “like a

slap at forte followed by a slap at piano.” Charrier explains that this exercise

helps to increase speed between slaps and improve endurance.

61 Serge Bertocchi, La méthode de saxophone (IMD: Paris, 2011). 

43

4.3 Multiple Tonguing

Hearts that are delicate and kind and tongues that are neither — these make the finest company in the world.

— Logan Pearsall Smith

Multiple tonguing on reed instruments is more challenging than on other

wind instruments due to the fact that a mouthpiece or reed occupies part of the

musician’s mouth, thus complicating the basic gesture of the technique. Because

of this handicap, over time saxophonists have had to modify the traditional brass

and flute techniques so that they work on their instrument. In fact, many

saxophonists don’t pursue the technique at all, choosing instead to rely on the

development of a fast single tongue or the addition of slurs in fast articulated

passages to simplify difficult articulated passages.

Most of the participants in this study suggest that a knowledge of multiple-

tonguing, especially double tonguing, is important for college-level saxophonists,

but only half of the teachers require their students to master the technique.

Kenneth Tse, Professor of Saxophone at the University of Iowa explains,

“[Whether I teach a student about multiple-tonguing] depends on the student’s

ability and the repertoire at hand. I know many professionals who are on the top

in our field but cannot or do not multiple-tongue, yet they are the most respected

musicians. I personally do not require any of my students to master multiple

tonguing but they must understand the concept, know how to describe it, and be

able to teach it.”

44

When it is appropriate to teach multiple tonguing is also a point of

disagreement among participants. Rhonda Taylor suggests that multiple-

tonguing can be a good solution for students who are unable to develop a

sufficiently fast single tongue, whereas Timothy Roberts does not allow his

students to study multiple tonguing until they are able to single tongue sixteenth

notes at quarter note = 152. Kenneth Tse believes that a student is ready to learn

the technique when he or she understands the mechanics of articulation:

“…He/She must be competent in single tonguing and have a good overall

understanding of the inner workings of their oral cavity and the importance of

proper tongue position.”

While Marie-Bernadette Charrer and Serge Bertocchi both caution against

introducing the study of multiple tonguing with very young or inexperienced (pre-

college) students, they do so for opposite reasons. Charrier concerns herself with

the development of the single tongue, saying “I heard a young saxophonist who

had learned double-tonguing too early in his development, and he could not even

single tongue at an average speed.” Bertocchi believes that most very young

students simply do not possess the necessary discipline to be successful,

quipping: “Try to build a passion for TKT exercises to a 10-year-old….”

A psychological preparation on the part of the student is one of the criteria

Tse seeks in a student ready to devote study to multiple tonguing: “When the

students show curiosity and initiative, that is when I would introduce them to

multiple tonguing, after judging the fact that they are ready for it…. Like many

45

other so-called extended techniques, if any of it stifles the enjoyment and

fulfillment of learning and music-making, it becomes an end in itself.”

Six out of the ten participants indicate that they integrate the study of

multiple tonguing into their undergraduate curriculum, mainly as a way to

respond to the demands of the repertoire. In particular, Timothy Roberts, formerly

of the United States Navy Band, believes that the ability to multiple tongue is

important for saxophonists to be able to “keep up with the other instruments in

the band.” To that end, for the participants, double-tonguing seems to be of a

higher priority than triple-tonguing. Two participants simply stated that there was

generally no need for saxophonists to be able to triple tongue. Only one teacher

provided specific exercises to develop the triple tongue among students.

The syllables that teachers use for double tonguing vary. Charrier and

Geiss both favor syllables “te-ke,” which with English vowels would resemble

“tuh-kuh.” Charrier also uses “ti-ki,” or in English, “tee-kee” for the upper register.

Kenneth Tse uses the “ti-ki” for the entire register. Bertocchi, Deibel, Roberts,

and Sampen all suggest “tah-kah” to their students. David Dees is the only

teacher who suggests the use of a syllable that begins with “D”: “duh-guh,” for all

double tonguing. Other participants tend to use “D” and “G” syllables only for

legato passages.

James Umble takes a different approach with students, preferring not to

employ a standard syllable for all of his students, and instead to focus on the

physical process of double tonguing. “Syllables [are] not always consistent

student to student. Relaxation is important I think, so a more legato approach

46

works early on. Experimenting with the location of the tongue stroke is

important.” Although Kenneth Tse does employ a standard syllable with students,

he remains flexible: “Basically, whatever syllables help you to stabilize the back

of the tongue and the air to touch the front top part of the upper pallet (near the

alveolar ridge) would do.” Tse also advocates the use of slightly different tongue

movements from register to register, but cautions against too much alteration:

“Obviously, multiple tonguing different registers would need slight adjustment

inside the mouth, but in general the tongue must not move too much and one

should not engage much of the throat…. I suggest the study of articulatory

phonetics, where the understanding of the place (or point) of articulation plays an

incredibly significant role in one’s understanding and approach in tonguing,

obtaining resonant sound, and playing the saxophone in general.”

Universally, to develop the technique, these professors suggest beginning

practice on a single mid-register note, then expanding out in either direction for

about one octave using scale study. The imperceptibility and diction of the

technique is of primary concern to most of the teachers, and many use exercises

to try to improve the clarity of the second syllable to make it sound more like the

first. Bertocchi has students play a slow set of double tongued notes and then the

same notes with single tongue at the same tempo to try and achieve satisfactory

clarity. Geoffrey Deibel works with students to maintain an evenness of rhythm

that can sometimes suffer when double tonguing. “Once the Kah works, getting

an even switch between the two is the next step. Students always want to revert

47

to a dotted rhythm, so getting even 8ths or 16ths is critical. One thing that can

really help with evenness is playing triplets.”

Other teachers use repertoire to continue to develop students’ skills.

Charrier integrates transcriptions and works from the nineteenth century, “which

is effectively a series of scales and arpeggios,” whereas others use works like

Monti’s Czardas, the third movement of Creston’s Concerto, or the fifth

movement of Maurice’s Tableaux de Provence. James Umble has students play

exercises similar to the Arban’s studies for trumpet,62 while Tse uses the double

tonguing exercises found in Jean-Louis Tulou’s A Method for the Flute.63

The subject of multiple tonguing in the altissimo almost feels akin to myth.

Of the ten participants, six of them had no teaching or performance experience

with the technique; (one, after emphatically stating “No!!!” asked me if I could do

it)! Nonetheless, Marie-Bernadette Charrier and Kenneth Tse both express a

knowledge of the technique. Charrier says, “It’s true that using double or triple

tonguing is more difficult in the altissimo register [when using] the placement of

the tongue in the ‘ke’ or ‘ge,’ which is why I think ‘ki’ or ‘gi,’ so that the tongue is

closer to the roof of the mouth, or hard palate. If I have to play very high, I cheat

and play the staccato attack with my throat.” Tse takes a similar approach, but

tries to avoid the passive, or “ki” attack almost altogether. “The ability to multiple

tongue in altissimo range has to do…one’s understanding in points of articulation

62 J.-B. Arban, Edwin Franko Goldman, and Walter M. Smith. Arban's Complete Conservatory Method: For Trumpet (Cornet) or E� Alto, B� Tenor, Baritone, Euphonium and B� Bass in Treble Clef (New York: Carl Fischer, 1936). 63 Jean Louis Tulou, Janice Dockendorff Boland, and Martha F. Cannon, A Method for the Flute (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1995). 

48

inside the mouth. Most syllables (even “Ti-Ki”) usually create too much motion

inside the mouth (both active and passive) to allow the reed to vibrate in

extremely high speed without interruption, hence loss of altissimo tone.

Basically, one needs to use as little passive “attack” as possible and use air

mostly coming from the back of the throat.”

The maintenance of the mastered technique of multiple tonguing shows a

contradiction between the ideas of Charrier and Tse. Tse believes that after a

student has mastered the technique, he or she need only practice it when playing

repertoire that demands it. Charrier, on the other hand, believes it should be

practiced daily with other technical exercises, saying “A technique is never

acquired for life — it must be nurtured.”

4.4 Multiphonics

For every disciplined effort there is a multiple reward. — Jim Rohn

The study of multiphonics is different from that of the other techniques in

this study because rather than representing a single technique that students work

to master, each multiphonic presents its own set of challenges that must be

overcome. In the end, a student with a successful mastery of multiphonics is able

to understand a set of fundamental governing principles and can apply the

technical, physiological and aural implications of those principles in order to

respond to the challenges that multiphonics present for interpretation and

performance.

49

When explaining their beliefs on the best time for students to begin the

study of multiphonics, for the first time in this study, a clear delineation among

participants’ country of origin is observable. The French participants suggest

beginning saxophonists should integrate multiphonics into their study, whereas

all of the participants from the United States except one64 believe students

should begin work on multiphonics early in the undergraduate degree. This rift

could be explained by the logistical difference in music education between the

two countries. In the United States, students typically rely on band directors to be

their first teachers, with a few seeking private lessons. It is rare that a university-

level professor teach a beginner. In France, however, where students begin

solfege training early and matriculate into conservatory at a younger age, it is

conceivable that teachers of the same educational experience would teach or

have pedagogical influence over younger students.

Universally, the French participants claim that early study of multiphonics

leads to a greater flexibility of the embouchure that is integral to artistry as a

concert saxophonist. Serge Bertocchi, who teaches multiphonics to first-year

students explains, “Most multiphonics will imply a specific mouth-tongue position

to be performed. The student will get the idea that he is not playing only with his

fingers: sound production is an association of ear and memory…”

The only profiled American who claims similar beliefs is Geoffrey Deibel,

but rather than claiming a desire to help students achieve greater embouchure

flexibility as the reason for early exposure, he states that he simply believes the

64 Deibel 

50

technique is easier for younger students to grasp. “I try to introduce even the

youngest students to [contemporary music] and technique as early as possible. I

have had middle school aged students play multiphonics regularly, and certainly

all levels of high school and college students. The earlier you introduce any of

these techniques, the less ‘hard’ it is for the student later on.” Philippe Geiss,

when talking about slap tonguing, made a similar claim about young students,

saying that early exposure to contemporary techniques allows students to

“maintain the natural gesture, devoid of intellectualism.”

Those teachers who tend to introduce multiphonics early say that they

work hard to only show students multiphonics fingerings that are easy to produce

at first. Bertocchi introduces two “easy” multiphonics in his saxophone method

book, and some of his students greet the technique with a great deal of

enthusiasm. “One of my students composed a piece using these [two

multiphonics] during his first year of study. He was 10, and the piece was nice,”

he says. The most common “first multiphonic” among participants is a low C with

the forth finger raised, which when properly produced on any of the four main

members of the saxophone family, creates two-note multiphonic. For those

teachers who tend to wait for repertoire to suggest the study of contemporary

techniques, it makes sense that the subject of multiphonics would not come up

until undergraduate study. David Dees mentions Noda’s Maï,65 for example, and

John Sampen suggests Caravan’s Sketch,66 or Preliminary Exercises67 along

65 Ryo Noda. Maï: pour saxophone alto seul (Paris: A. Leduc, 1978). 66 Ronald L. Caravan, Sketch for Alto Saxophone. (New York: Seesaw Music Corp, 1974). 

51

with the Noda Improvisations.68 All of these are pieces that would typically

demand the technical skills of a very advanced high school student or early

undergraduate.

In approaching multiphonics, teachers in this study all seem to take a

similar approach with their students in which the student works to play all the

pitches contained in the multiphonic independently of one another, first using

normal fingerings, then replicating the note with the multiphonic fingering.

Rhonda Taylor compares her approach to the voicing one might work on to

produce notes in the altissimo register: “Like any voicing, the work must be both

physical and aural. I ask students to finger the multiphonic and voice the

individual pitches: almost always, certain pitches speak more easily, and the

challenge is to find a tongue/throat compromise position that allows the full

multiphonic to speak.”

Marie-Bernadette Charrier takes this approach a step further: “Practicing

multiphonics begins by isolating each pitch in the multiphonic, playing it, and

memorizing each sound’s position [in the throat]. This should be done at a variety

of dynamics…. You must learn to control each pitch of a multiphonic

independently, and for me, there is always one pitch in the multiphonic that

allows me to balance the multiphonic, and it is up to everyone to find that for him

or herself.” Deibel’s approach of identifying a single pitch that “balances” the

chord is very similar to that of Charrier: “Multiphonics are sometimes similar to

67 Ronald L. Caravan, Preliminary Exercises & Etudes in Contemporary Techniques for Saxophone Introductory Material for the Study of Multiphonics, Quarter Tones, & Timbre Variation (Medfield, MA: Dorn Publications, 1980). 68 Ryo Noda, Improvisation I, pour saxophone alto seul (Paris: A. Leduc, 1974). 

52

altissimo in that you have to voice more toward a certain note to make the chord

sound.”

The idea that a single note within the multiphonic is more important than

others is a common theme among participants in this study. Specifically, two

professors discus the first multiphonic of the second movement in Denisov’s

Sonate. Ronda Taylor says, “The end of the first movement of the Denisov

Sontate ends with our written F#, and the multiphonic that opens the second

movement continues that F#, but now as the highest pitch in a multiphonic.

Aurally matching the two helps the player execute the multiphonic more clearly,

but also helps the student hear why it’s structurally important to the work. Of

course, the highest goal here is to communicate that F# connection to the

listener.”

A frustrating problem for many saxophonists is the reality that sometimes,

multiphonics suggested by composers are difficult or even impossible to produce

— even by the most accomplished saxophonists. Every saxophonist in this study

says that they sometimes change a multiphonic fingering in order to “find” it or to

obtain a more practical or stable multiphonic sound. John Sampen places a high

importance on the performer’s comfort in these decisions: “Sometimes the

notated fingerings just don’t work and require changes or substitutions. As one

nears a performance, it is important that the player has confidence and a high

percentage of success in the producing of the notate multiphonics. If this is not

the case, then I will suggest substitutions so that the performer (and the

composer) are not represented in a negative way.”

53

Charrier’s approach with replacing troublesome multiphonics in repertoire

seeks to honor the composer’s intent. If a fingering does not work, she changes it

and tries to “respect the demanded color…. Generally, the composer does not

play the saxophone, but found a multiphonic that corresponds to the harmony or

a desired timbre. If the fingering doesn’t permit this, it is our role as interpreters to

search for and propose a solution so that the composer’s intentions are

honored.”

Another tactic participants use is the seeking out of advice from other

saxophonists who have successfully performed the work to ask about specific

fingerings, or even dealing with the composer directly if he or she is alive.

Geoffrey Deibel cautions that sometimes students want to give up on a fingering

too quickly. “…There is a certain amount of initiative the student must learn to

take with [the experimentation required to successfully produce multiphonics]. It’s

not enough for them to just to say ‘it’s not coming out.’ It’s a problem we all have

to address.” Bertocchi suggests that sometimes, in order to play a multiphonic

that seems impossible, all one needs is a bit of patience: “I’m often [confounded]

by [difficult] multiphonics and I have acquired a few automatisms. As a matter of

fact, I’m actually trying to play ultimo a lato69 by Giorgio Netti, which is

presumably the most difficult piece written up to date (as far as multiphonics are

concerned, Giorgio is the Pope). And I’m surprised myself to see that even so-

called ‘impossible’ sounds can finally be performed when sufficient time is

provided for them to mature.”

69 Giorgio Netti, ultimo a lato (Milan: 2005). 

54

In addition to careful, dedicated practice, all the profiled professors agree

that a student’s equipment and its condition is very important for success with

multiphonics. David Dees points out that many works for soprano saxophone

require C6 — or the high-G key. John Sampen brought up the fact than most

existing multiphonic fingering compendia were created using older model

saxophones, resulting in unreliable fingerings. Charrier, who normally performs

on Vandoren mouthpieces, suggests that Selmer Paris mouthpieces produce

multiphonics more easily, especially when paired with a softer reed, whereas

Bertocchi suggests mouthpieces with larger facings. Sampen says simply,

“Equipment is a major consideration and this does affect success…[but] many

times multiphonics require intense experimentation and practice much like the

production of altissimo.”

55

CONCLUSION

Much of what saxophonists know about extended techniques has been

passed down from teacher to student, or gained from personal experience and

effortful practice. Although some scholarship devoted to extended techniques

exists, the value of communication among educators is clearly of paramount

importance. This study has identified numerous common strategies among

college-level educators in France and the United States, and has also revealed

individual approaches that could benefit the concert saxophone community.

Although sometimes their opinions differ, overwhelmingly, the teachers in this

study encourage their students to adopt an attitude of experimentation,

sensitivity, and open-mindedness to the world of sounds, encouraging them to

expand their own technical and musical capacity for contributing to it.

I believe that extended techniques are valuable musical elements that

when used with care and discretion, can enhance and ameliorate the repertoire

of the saxophone. It is my hope that the information contained in this document

will be useful for those interested in teaching contemporary saxophone

techniques, and that this work can be a catalyst for communication and further

research among educators so that we can more effectively teach these

challenging and fascinating techniques to students.

56

APPENDIX ONE TECHNIQUE QUESTIONNAIRES:

CIRCULAR BREATHING

57

SERGE BERTOCCHI PROFESSOR OF SAXOPHONE

CONSERVATOIRE À RAYONNEMENT RÉGIONAL AMIENS, FRANCE

1. Comment/en quelle cycle est-ce que vous introduire l’étude de la respiration

circulaire ?

[1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

circular breathing?]

Usually, there is no need of this kind of technique before reaching the 3rd

cycle. As a matter of fact, I often teach it in parallel to studying a piece needing

the technique, like [Christian] Lauba’s Balafon70 or [Betsy] Jolas’s Episode

4ème.71

2. A votre avis, est-ce qu’il est important pour les élèves de savoir comment

faire la respiration circulaire en troisième cycle ? En perfectionnement ?

[2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to circular breathe as

an undergraduate? As a graduate student?]

I think it’s better for a student to be able to use (if not dominate) this

particular technique at the end of the 3rd Cycle, for the DEM [Diplôme d'Études

Musicales, the highest performance diploma awarded for music performance in

France. Typically obtained by those who want to teach at a Conservatoire]. But

70 Christian Lauba, Neuf études pour saxophones en 4 cahiers = Nine etudes for saxophones in 4 books (Paris: A. Leduc, 1996). 71 Betsy Jolas, Episode quatrième: pour saxophone ténor seul (Paris: A. Leduc, 1984). 

58

it’s never too late to learn it. You might have to play a piece using Circular

Breathing for a DEM.

3. Pensez-vous qu’il y’a des moments quand il vaut mieux de ne faire pas des

respirations circulaires ? Si oui, quels sont ces moments, et comment est-ce que

vous aidez les élèves faire des bons choix par rapport des respirations ?

[3. Do you think there is any musical context where circular breathing is

inappropriate? If yes, what are some of these contexts, and how do you help

students to make musical decisions with regard to their breathing?]

In a student’s view, circular breathing IS a special technique, so they

seldom misuse it musically, since they will avoid it if possible. But the question

might get to some interest later on, when you don’t even think about circular

breathing when you play: you could become lazy, and avoid to take a long breath

needed for dramatic use in a particular piece. It happens to me sometimes on the

baritone when I play in quartet. Anyhow, as usual, the real problem is to always

use technical means in relationship with the musical needs. I usually warn my

students about this eventuality.

4. Quelles recherches, exercices, et répertoires est-ce que vous donnez aux

élèves pour améliorer leurs façon de jouer avec respiration circulaire ? Si vous

avez vos propres exercices, est-ce que vous pouvez les partager ?

59

[4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?]

Actually, I published a small book concerning modern techniques and their

study for students… I can send it to you if you wish...

5. Quel criteria employer-vous pour évaluer la niveau et progrès de vos élèves

par rapport de respiration circulaire ?

[5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?]

First objective is to be able to play without stopping on rapid slurred

phrasing (scales, trills, Balafon72). Then, to be able to do it on different dynamics,

or on a held note, without hearing the tongue “glick” [sic] separating jaw

expiration and the return of lung expiration. Eventually, trying to do it on staccato

continuum (like in Le fusain fuit la gomme73 by Marie-Hélène Fournier).

6. Intégrez-vous l’étude de la respiration circulaire en votre curriculum pour les

élèves de troisième cycle, ou est-ce que vous attendez des questions

[6. Do you integrate the study of circular breathing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?]

72 Christian Lauba, Neuf études pour saxophones en 4 cahiers = Nine etudes for saxophones in 4 books (Paris: A. Leduc, 1996). 73 Marie Hélène Fournier. Le fusain fuit la gomme: pour saxophone baryton solo (Paris: H. Lemoine, 2000). 

60

Some students ask for it earlier in their progression: I usually teach them

the basic exercises, and they sometimes succeed, even in the 2nd Cycle. The

usual problem is that they will not find many pieces to perform their ability...

7. Est-ce que vous n’avez jamais eu un élève qui, après beaucoup de travail de

la respiration circulaire, n’a pas assez du succès ? Que pensez-vous la raison

de ca ?

[7. Have you ever had a student who devoted substantial study to circular

breathing and was unable to achieve a satisfactory level of mastery? Why do

you think this student or students was/were unsuccessful?]

No. It can take some time, but EVERYBODY can do the circular breathing,

as far as I know. It’s only a question of time and hard work. Light work for some.

In the other hand, NOBODY (as far as I know) can do the circular breathing

without a thorough study: it will take between 1 week to 1 month.

8. Faites-vous du travail avec les élèves sur la détaché au même temps que la

respiration circulaire ? Si oui, comment ?

[8. Do you work with students on articulation while circular breathing? How?]

Usually, tonguing is supposed to be a difficult thing to superimpose to

circular breathing. Particularly because during CB you will use a specific - though

varying - tongue position. The question should be about musical need: when

do you NEED to play without stopping the air, though using articulations? If

necessary, I will then propose to do rapid staccato on a low note as an exercise.

61

9. Pour travailler la respiration circulaire, est-ce qu’il est important quel

saxophone (soprano, alto, ténor, baryton) un élève joue ? Est-ce que vous

changez votre façon d’enseigner ce technique pour les saxophones différents

[9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?]

No. It might be a little more natural on baritone...

62

TRANSLATION:

Marie-Bernadette Charrier

Artistic Director, PROXIMA CENTAURI Vice President of l’ASAX (French Saxophonists Association) Professor of Saxophone and Contemporary Chamber Music

Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Bordeaux Professor of Saxophone and Contemporary Chamber Music

CEFEDEM, Aquitaine

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

circular breathing?

As soon as a saxophonist has a flexible and stable embouchure and when

the student is able to control the breath.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to circular breathe as

an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

Of course, it is even necessary; this technique is ancestral. We tend to

associate it frequently with today’s music, but there are many Classical works

that require long phrases of uninterrupted sound [that would necessitate the use

of circular breathing].

3. Do you think there is any musical context where circular breathing is

inappropriate? If yes, what are some of these contexts, and how do you help

students to make musical decisions with regard to their breathing?

Circular breathing should not be associated with an aesthetic, but more

with musical phrase demanded by the work that the musician is interpreting. An

63

understanding of musical conventions (culture musical) helps an interpreter know

when and how to use it.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

This technique, like all other techniques, must be prepared ahead of time

with preparatory exercises that can be adapted to whatever music a student is

studying—one should not use this technique without regard to what the music

being performed demands.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?  

Seek a homogenous timbre when circular breathing that matches the

timbre when not circular breathing no matter what dynamic. 

 

6. Do you integrate the study of circular breathing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

Circular breathing is a technique that must be mastered at this level, and

practiced regularly.

 

 

64

7. Have you ever had a student who devoted substantial study to circular

breathing and was unable to achieve a satisfactory level of mastery? Why do

you think this student or students was/were unsuccessful?

No, all students can learn to do it; it is a very easy technique to acquire.

8. Do you work with students on articulation while circular breathing? How?  

Yes, certain works necessitate articulation while circular breathing, such

as Digital,74 by Thierry Alla. This technique is possible; one must learn to control

the independent movement of the tongue and respiration—to not have one be

independent on the other. This type of practice is tied to the development of a

deeper self-understanding; to know and remember our internal sensations and to

then control them. 

 

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing? 

The mechanism of this technique is the same no matter what instrument

is used. The difference is with regard to embouchure and register. One must

learn to control the “clamp” and stability of the larynx at the moment of

respiration. It is important to feel the arrival of fresh air at the level of the

larynx—not at the level of the nose.

74 Thierry Alla, Digital pour saxophone soprano seul (Paris: A. Leduc, 2003). 

65

ORIGINAL VERSION:

Marie-Bernadette CHARRIER Director Artistique, PROXIMA CENTAURI

Vice President de l’ASAX (Association des Saxophonists) Professor de saxophone et musique de chamber conteporaine

Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Bordeaux Professor de saxophone et musique de chamber conteporaine

CEFEDEM, Aquitaine

1. Comment/en quelle cycle est-ce que vous introduire l’étude de la respiration

circulaire ?

Lorsque le saxophoniste possède une embouchure souple et stable,

lorsque la technique de souffle est maîtrisée.

2. A votre avis, est-ce qu’il est important pour les élèves de savoir comment faire

la respiration circulaire en troisième cycle ? En perfectionnement ?

Bien sûr, c'est même indispensable, cette technique est ancestrale. On

l'associe souvent à la musique d'aujourd'hui mais beaucoup d'oeuvres

classiques nécessitent un discours continu avec des respirations musicales mais

sans interrompre la résonance du son.

3. Pensez-vous qu’il y’a des moments quand il vaut mieux de ne faire pas des

respirations circulaires ? Si oui, quels sont ces moments, et comment est-ce que

vous aidez les élèves faire des bons choix par rapport des respirations ?

Il ne faut pas systématiquement associer cette technique à une esthétique

mais plutôt au phrasé musical demandé par l'œuvre interprétée. La culture

musicale permet de mieux savoir quand l'utiliser.

66

4. Quelles recherches, exercices, et répertoires est-ce que vous donnez aux

élèves pour améliorer leurs façon de jouer avec respiration circulaire ? Si vous

avez vos propres exercices, est-ce que vous pouvez les partager ?

Cette technique comme toute autre technique doit se préparer en amont,

avec des exercises préparatoires puis l'adapter en fonction du texte musical et

non faire cette technique quelque soit la musique jouée .

5. Quel criteria employer-vous pour évaluer la niveau et progrès de vos élèves

par rapport de respiration circulaire ? Rechercher l'homogénéité du timbre lors

de son utilisation quelque soit le registre et la dynamique utilisés.

6. Intégrez-vous l’étude de la respiration circulaire en votre curriculum pour les

élèves de troisième cycle, ou est-ce que vous attendez des questions ?

La respiration circulaire est une des techniques qui doit être maîtrisée

dans ce cycle et travaillée régulièrement.7. Est-ce que vous n’avez jamais eu un

élève qui, après beaucoup de travail de la respiration circulaire, n’a pas assez du

succès ? Que pensez-vous la raison de ca ?

Non, tous les étudiants savent le faire, c'est une technique très facile à

acquérir.

8. Faites-vous du travail avec les élèves sur la détaché au même temps que la

respiration circulaire ? Si oui, comment ?

67

Oui, certaines œuvres nécessitent le staccato et un souffle continu

comme dans "Digital"75 de T. Alla. Cette technique est possible, il faut apprendre

à contrôler l'indépendance du mouvement de la langue et la respiration et non

que celle-ci soit dépendante de l'autre. Cette manière de à travailler est liée à la

connaissance de soi-même, connaître et mémoriser nos sensations internes et

apprendre à les contrôler. 9. Pour travailler la respiration circulaire, est-ce qu’il

est important quel saxophone (soprano, alto, ténor, baryton) un élève joue ? Est-

ce que vous changez votre façon d’enseigner ce technique pour les saxophones

différents ? La technique de la respiration est la même quelque soit le

saxophone utilisé. La différence intervient au niveau de l'embouchure, du

registre. Il faut apprendre à bien contrôler la pince et la stabilité du larynx au

moment de la respiration. Il est important de sentir l'arrivée de l'air frais au niveau

du larynx et non au niveau du nez.

75 Thierry Alla, Digital pour saxophone soprano seul (Paris: A. Leduc, 2003). 

68

David Dees Associate Professor of Saxophone

Texas Tech University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

circular breathing?

Early if possible (freshman, maybe) – it seems that the earlier they start

trying the easier it is – maybe less mental blocks. Have had some 9th graders

learn it very quickly.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to circular breathe as

an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

Important if they want to play [works by Christian] Lauba, etc

3. Do you think there is any musical context where circular breathing is

inappropriate? If yes, what are some of these contexts, and how do you help

students to make musical decisions with regard to their breathing?

Once they learn it – they want to do it all the time, even on Ferling

etudes76 and standard rep like Husa Elegie et Rondeau.77 It doesn’t work for me

on that rep – esp since these same students haven’t really developed great

breath support and/or understanding of phrasing/goals/forward motion.

76 Franz Wilhelm Ferling and Albert J. Andraud, 48 Famous Studies for Oboe or Saxophone And 3 Duos Concertants for 2 Oboes or 2 Saxophones (San Antonio: Southern Music Co.),1958. 77 Karel Husa. Élégie et Rondeau pour saxophone alto et orchestre (Paris: Leduc, 1961). 

69

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

I Googled “How to Circular Breath” and have used what I think is Bob

Spring’s guidelines. Have them start by breathing in and out nose with puffed out

cheeks, then same with a small air leak and go from there. It seems that most

people can learn it if they want to.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

Seamless transfers, ability to do it in pieces effectively.

6. Do you integrate the study of circular breathing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I bring it up if a student can play well fundamentally. I don’t require it, but

always try to challenge the goods ones to learn.

 

7. Have you ever had a student who devoted substantial study to circular

breathing and was unable to achieve a satisfactory level of mastery? Why do

you think this student or students was/were unsuccessful?

I don’t think I’ve experienced too many problems here that couldn’t be

solved by more work at refining the basic technique.

70

8. Do you work with students on articulation while circular breathing? How?

Not yet 

 

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing? 

It seems like pretty much the same technique – easier on smaller horns.

71

 Geoffrey Scott Deibel Visiting Assistant Professor of Saxophone

University of Florida  

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

circular breathing?

Typically during college years if other technique is sound. Students must

have excellent air support prior to beginning circular breathing. With any student

that is advanced, I’ll introduce it as soon as he’s ready, or if the student is

curious. Can be as early as 8th grade if the student is technically advanced

enough.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to circular breathe as

an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

I would say it can be useful as an undergraduate, and is pretty much a

necessity as a graduate student (and in many cases as an advanced undergrad).

Typically depends on the repertoire the student is playing.

3. Do you think there is any musical context where circular breathing is

inappropriate? If yes, what are some of these contexts, and how do you help

students to make musical decisions with regard to their breathing?

Absolutely yes. What I encourage students to do is to think of how the

phrases are constructed in the music, because the breath is intimately tied up

with that organization, i.e. a phrase is shaped by breaths in many cases.

Another way of saying it is that a breath is part of the musical line. Where the

72

phrases pause or end is where breaths should fall. Many times string players will

breathe with their phrases as well. Circular breathing should only occur when it

serves the musical intent—in minimalist music, for example it is often necessary.

I also encourage students to think of their performance of phrases as if they’re

engaging in public speaking—phrasing works almost the same way in music as it

does in language. The breath in the latter case is the comma or the period.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

I have them try squeezing air out of their puffed cheeks first, then adding

the breathing in through the nose part (all without the horn). Sometimes blowing

bubbles through a straw into a glass of water helps, but that’s only necessary if

the student doesn’t know if there is air coming out while they’re breathing in.

Then repeating the same with just the neck and mouthpiece is the next step.

Finally the whole instrument is added. In both of these last two steps, I try to

stress the maintenance of steady tone. I also encourage them to practice on a

wide range of intervals once the initial technique is achieved. The last step is to

play with moving notes.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

If I can’t tell that they’re circular breathing, they’re doing it correctly.

73

6. Do you integrate the study of circular breathing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I will wait until the music necessitates it, until they ask, or if they just need

something more to do in their practice. I try to have all students work on one

particular extended technique at all times, so this could be altissimo or circular

breathing, slap tongue, etc.

7. Have you ever had a student who devoted substantial study to circular

breathing and was unable to achieve a satisfactory level of mastery? Why do

you think this student or students was/were unsuccessful?

I have not had students work on the technique and be unsuccessful.

8. Do you work with students on articulation while circular breathing? How?

Yes, typically by concentrating on the mouth exhalation while tonguing a

single note, then moving to more complex passages once this is achieved.

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

It usually appears that the smaller the instrument, the easier it is to

achieve the technique. I don’t alter the exercises. Sometimes working on

74

breathing itself is beneficial to circular breathing on the larger instruments.

Taking in less mouthpiece is sometimes helpful as well.

75

Jeffrey Heisler Assistant Professor of Saxophone

Kent State University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

circular breathing?

I like to introduce students to circular breathing very young. I find that

most High School saxophonists find this technique very intriguing and are

naturally curious. Even though they are not performing repertoire that involves

circular breathing, it is always nice to engage a student with a special technique

that will prove to be extremely useful later in their development.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to circular breathe as

an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

I believe circular breathing is becoming crucial to perform contemporary

repertoire for the saxophone. This technique is important to be cultivated as an

undergraduate because many of the core repertoire involving contemporary

techniques for saxophone requires circular breathing. As a graduate student,

circular breathing is vital to perform the prerequisite repertoire required for

advanced saxophone study.

3. Do you think there is any musical context where circular breathing is

inappropriate? If yes, what are some of these contexts, and how do you help

students to make musical decisions with regard to their breathing?

76

Yes, while circular breathing can be used to extend phases in tonal music,

if a student is ignoring terminal cadence points and circular breathing with

disregard to the harmonic function of the music, I would deem their decision

inappropriate. I would always cite the composer’s intentions, both melodically

and harmonically, in making decisions of breathing. Many of our greatest

traditional works could benefit from selective circular breathing to comfortably

complete long phrases. However, if the continuous playing interferes with the

composer’s intent of musical line and space, I would discuss this concept in more

detail so the student understands the importance of cadential points in tonal

music.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

Once I have explained the mechanisms involved in the technique, I

usually start students with a cup of water and a straw. I make sure they are

using their teeth to pinch the straw (to create back pressure) and then blow to

create bubbles in the water. Then I have them start the exchange of lung air to

stored air in the cheeks and back to lung air. The main propose for using water

is for the positive reinforcement of seeing bubbles being produced continuously.

Obviously one of the major faults people have in starting this technique is trying

to control the automatic response to breath in using the mouth. If a student does

this while using a straw and water, they will likely swallow some water and

77

minimally choke themselves. It only takes a few times of chocking on water for

students to realize they should avoid breathing in using the mouth. In this case,

fear of choking on water is a wonderful motivator. Once the students is able to

master the exchange of air from the cheeks to lungs while breathing in the nose,

I usually bring to their attention the importance of using the tongue to help move

the stored air into the mouthpiece along with the squeezing motion of the cheeks.

The forward motion of the tongue helps stabilize the air pressure and vibrate the

reed more efficiently. Next I explain the importance of making this technique

“circular” or regular. Many students are used to breathing when they feel they

are running out of air support, however, in this technique, students must develop

a regular rhythm of breathing (i.e. breathing out for 4 counts; in for 2 counts and

repeat in a “circular” fashion). Lastly, students will find that once circular

breathing for one minute or more, carbon dioxide will build up in the lungs and

they will feel an uncomfortable pressure growing. It is also important to build a

technique of expelling the old air out of the lungs every 30 seconds or so by

blowing this air out of the nose in order to keep equilibrium in the lungs.

Once students are comfortable circular breathing with a straw and water, I

move them to the saxophone usually starting by circular breathing trills (middle A

– Bb or E-F). After a reminder not to squeeze their embouchures (bottom lip) too

much during the exchange between cheek air to lung air, many students will find

this technique to be obtainable with only a few weeks of dedicated practice.

Once the students is able to gain comfort with sustaining trills, I start to

introduce this technique in their scale work so they are conformable circular

78

breathing while performing technical passages in music. I also think it is a good

idea to introduce articulating while circular breathing as soon as possible.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?  

  [No Response] 

 

6. Do you integrate the study of circular breathing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I usually wait for inquiry about it; however, I do discuss this, along with

many other contemporary techniques in my studio classes.  

 

7. Have you ever had a student who devoted substantial study to circular

breathing and was unable to achieve a satisfactory level of mastery? Why do

you think this student or students was/were unsuccessful?

[No Response]

8. Do you work with students on articulation while circular breathing? How?  

  Yes, once students are able to elongate the exchange of cheek air to

about 1-2 seconds, I start having them articulate and circular breathe quarter

notes (quarter note = 72). It is bumpy ride at first, however, with some dedication

and perseverance students tend to figure it out.

79

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

[No Response]

80

Timothy Roberts Associate Professor of Saxophone

Shenandoah Conservatory

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

circular breathing?

Near the beginning of their freshman fall semester.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to circular breathe as

an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

Very important for both—especially since its relatively easy to learn.

3. Do you think there is any musical context where circular breathing is

inappropriate? If yes, what are some of these contexts, and how do you help

students to make musical decisions with regard to their breathing?

Only when at the extreme low and high ends of the horn, or when they’re

passing over large intervals. If they can’t do it smoothly in context though, they

shouldn’t do it.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

Practice with a drinking straw blowing bubbles into the water, keeping the

air stream smooth.

81

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?  

How well is the skill applied in context of the repertoire? 

 

6. Do you integrate the study of circular breathing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I wait until they have a basic mastery of scales, tone quality, vibrato, and

other basics.

 

7. Have you ever had a student who devoted substantial study to circular

breathing and was unable to achieve a satisfactory level of mastery? Why do

you think this student or students was/were unsuccessful?

No. If they can’t do it, they haven’t practiced enough.

8. Do you work with students on articulation while circular breathing? How?  

  Yes—in context of the piece they’re preparing. 

 

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing? 

  No. The skill should be equally proficient on all voices of the instrument.

82

 John Sampen

Distinguished Artist Professor, Coordinator of Woodwind Area Bowling Green State University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

circular breathing?

Circular breathing is generally introduced by fellow student saxophonists

at BGSU and this probably happens during the first semester of freshman year. I

work on the technique in lessons approximately during the junior year.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to circular breathe as

an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

The technique is becoming rather important in new music and should be

addressed for both undergraduate and graduate students.

3. Do you think there is any musical context where circular breathing is

inappropriate? If yes, what are some of these contexts, and how do you help

students to make musical decisions with regard to their breathing?

There are moments, for example, in Bach’s music where circular breathing

is wonderful but sometimes the use of this technique constricts a player’s thought

process about phrase endings and cadences and it can overtake other musical

considerations as well. It may be useful to first approach compositions by

planning out musical phrases and breathing points, and then later substituting the

circular breathing.

83

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

Articles by Robert Dick, Robert Spring, Michele Gibgras and books by

Londeix (“Hello! Mr. Sax”), Trent Kynaston (“Circular Breathing”) and other books

by Daniel Kientzy and Marcus Weiss.78

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

Control of tone in all registers and ability to sustain the technique for

extended periods of time.

6. Do you integrate the study of circular breathing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I usually wait for students to inquire.

7. Have you ever had a student who devoted substantial study to circular

breathing and was unable to achieve a satisfactory level of mastery? Why do

you think this student or students was/were unsuccessful?

78 Marcus Weiss, and Giorgio Netti, The techniques of saxophone playing = Die Spieltechnik des Saxophons (Kassel: Bärenreiter, 2010). 

84

No – most can attain at least minimal success. However, if one cannot

breathe through their nose, then the technique of circular breathing cannot be

successful.

8. Do you work with students on articulation while circular breathing? How?

Yes—for advanced students. I have no particular system or approach.

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

Certainly circular breathing is different for each of our saxophones. The

baritone requires a tremendous about of air and many more repetitions in the

circular breathing process. Soprano is perhaps a good choice for beginning

studies because of the natural resistance of the instrument.

85

James Umble Professor of Saxophone

Youngstown State University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

circular breathing?

I introduce this early in the undergraduate sequence for performance

majors and for advanced music ed majors when they are ready for it.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to circular breathe as

an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

This is now an important skill, required for significant modern repertoire

and for. For example, anyone aspiring to compete in international competitions. I

consider it essential now.

3. Do you think there is any musical context where circular breathing is

inappropriate? If yes, what are some of these contexts, and how do you help

students to make musical decisions with regard to their breathing?

Absolutely, one must always seek to phrase and breathe in a musical way,

and so each musical context determines such decisions.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

86

Steve Jordheim's online videos "The Saxophonist's Anatomy" - these are

a significant aid in such discussions. Highly recommended. We refer to online

print-outs by saxophonists, digideridoo players, etc. It can be worked into the

scale practicing already taking place. I have had students learn this in order to

perform works by Lauba, etc, and it is good to have an application that is a piece

of music, where it is necessary, as a goal (as with double tonguing and other

extended techniques). As this technique takes a long while to master, the

discussion starts early in the years of study. I would hope that most if not all

senior performance recitals and all graduate recitals can demonstrate and

incorporate this technique as well as other extended techniques. It is also useful

for jazz performance majors to master of course, and they work on this as well.

The challenge is fitting everything in, as teaching the traditional

fundamentals already can take up the available time. Time must be made

through brief weekly check-ups on the progress, just a minute or two where the

student demonstrates the progress and asks questions, etc. Then, it can be

assigned into scales, and then into repertoire.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?  

  We just touch on it for a minute or two weekly, as with double tonguing.

This is a good way to keep it on the front burner and make sure the student is

dealing with it regularly and methodically.

87

6. Do you integrate the study of circular breathing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

Yes I introduce it to all undergraduate performance majors as soon as is

possible, and also to advanced Music Ed majors who are ready for it.

 

7. Have you ever had a student who devoted substantial study to circular

breathing and was unable to achieve a satisfactory level of mastery? Why do

you think this student or students was/were unsuccessful?

[No Response]

8. Do you work with students on articulation while circular breathing? How?  

  [No Response] 

 

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

The repertoire chosen and studied determines the discussion of all

concepts, so certain pieces on each instrument require this to be studied.

88

APPENDIX TWO TECHNIQUE QUESTIONNAIRES:

SLAP TONGUING

89

Serge Bertocchi Professor of Saxophone

Conservatoire à Rayonnement Regional d’Amiens

1. Comment/en quelle cycle est-ce que vous commencer a travailler avec un

élève aux « slaps ? »

[1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

slap tongue for the first time?]

As usual, it will often be needed for a specific piece... Most students will

wait for the 2nd cycle to begin the study.

2. Comment expliquez-vous le mécanisme du slap aux élèves ?

[2. How do you describe or demonstrate the mechanism of the slap tongue?]

Hard thing to do. It is very rapid, so explaining is not always a good

means. I usually propose the exercises in my book,79 but some other strategies

exist. Some students slap their notes involuntarily sometimes, and I usually teach

them to keep their ability to do it, but to differentiate the normal soft tonguing.

When a student tries to learn “the hard way,” I don’t really emphasize on the

quality of the result, since the slap is a tricky technique, few musicians (even

professionals) can ever do it. It might be a question of hereditary tongue

flexibility, but this is only a personal hypothesis. The important thing for me is to

lead them to regular and short practice of a few exercises.

79 Serge Bertocchi, La Méthode de saxophone (IMD: Paris, 2011).  

90

3. Comment différentier-vous les slaps « ouverts » entre les slaps « fermés ? »

Normalement, après de commencer a travailler les slaps, font les élèves un

meilleur que l’autre ?

[3. Do you differentiate between “open,” or “unpitched” slaps and “closed,” or  

“pitched” slaps? Do your students tend to perform one or the other more

effectively at first?]

The open slap is made by opening the mouth when releasing the reed, to

magnify the percussive result. It is often an easier, faster learned technique.

Closed slaps can lead to a number of different consecutive uses. But it might

take more time to master. Actually, I tried for one year to learn slap during my

studies (at that time, I wasn’t helped much by my teacher, Daniel Deffayet), all I

could do was open slap teeth on tongue. And then, during a summer session

with Georges Aperghis, where most of the musical material was text, I had to

practice all day for ten days, almost only slap. At the end of the session, I could

play a number of different slaps, in different registers ... and I was never able to

understand why I couldn’t do it before ...

4. Quelles recherches, exercices, et ouvres est-ce que vous donnez aux élèves

pour améliorer leurs façon de jouer les slaps? Si vous avez vos propres

exercices, est-ce que vous pouvez les partager ?

[4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?]

91

I will eventually [naturally] recommend my own little exercise book.80

5. Quel criteria employer-vous pour évaluer la niveau et progrès de vos élèves

par rapport au slap ?

[5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?]

First objective is to exercise the reed {ventouse} [suck]. Eventually using a

big saxophone (mouthpiece), or even taking “too much mouthpiece.” Eventually

blocking the tongue between reed and teeth. Usually on low notes. Then try with

a gradually more “normal” mouthpiece position. Then practice different dynamics,

registers, sustained sound after the attack...

[Question 6 Eliminated]

7. Pensez-vous intégrer l'étude de les slaps dans votre programme de premier

cycle, ou attendez-vous pour les étudiants de s'informer à ce sujet?

[7. Do you integrate the study of slap tongue into your undergraduate curriculum,

or do you wait for students to inquire about it?]

Usually, rather in the second cycle. But I have a young student aged 9

who learned to slap almost by herself this year. She loves to practice her music

pieces integrating slaps here and there. Another example is Sciarrino’s piece for

80 Ibid.  

92

100 saxophones,81 where he asks for ppp slaps : the main objective is then to

focus the student’s hearing on the beauty and the quality of the produced sound:

even a normal note will «sound» as a slap at ppp. And most of the students will

then be able to produce a nice slapping sound afterwards with little more work,

because they know what they have to look for with their ears...

8. Quel est l'impact du saxophone (soprano, alto, ténor, baryton) avoir sur cette

technique, et ne vous modifier votre approche de cette technique en aucune

façon à accueillir quel membre de la famille des saxophones, vous ou un

étudiant est de jouer?

[9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?]

81 Salvatore Sciarrino, La bocca, i piedi, il suono: per quattro sax solisti e cento sax in movimento (1997) (Milan: Ricordi, 1997). 

93

The slap is easier on a big mouthpiece, as I said, and with a big reed. So I

would recommend tenor or baritone. And since most of my students start on a

second saxophone only in the 2nd cycle, this is another reason for me to wait till

then... Repertory is the other question: we don’t have many «very easy» pieces

using slap.

94

TRANSLATION:

Marie-Bernadette Charrier Artistic Director, PROXIMA CENTAURI

Vice President of l’ASAX (French Saxophonists Association) Professor of Saxophone and Contemporary Chamber Music

Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Bordeaux Professor of Saxophone and Contemporary Chamber Music

CEFEDEM, Aquitaine 1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

slap tongue for the first time? 

Generally, during Cycle 2 (late undergraduate, early master’s), but it could

be earlier or later, each student is different.

2. How do you describe or demonstrate the mechanism of the slap tongue?

I begin by explaining the placement of the tongue for the different types of

attacks. The first step in practicing the slap takes place in front of the mirror with

the mouth open in order to see that the movement of the tongue on the reed is

independent from the movement of the jaw. Very often, a student’s inability to

perform the slap is a question of the tongue’s lack of muscle-strength. So, the

duration of this work can be very different depending on each student’s physical

characteristics, but everyone [in my classes] is able to produce a slap tongue by

the end of the school year.

3. Do you differentiate between “open,” or “unpitched” slaps and “closed,” or  

“pitched” slaps? Do your students tend to perform one or the other more

effectively at first?

95

These are two different attacks, and above all, these different slaps do not

produce the same pitch. They are tow different musical gestures, very often, one

cannot replace one with the other, and that’s why it is important to know the two

techniques. Only each composer’s writing can guide us.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

I already explained the technique above, but after that, students need to

improve their speed of playing the slap: they should practice a scale in slaps in a

variety of rhythms and dynamics—like a slap at forte followed by a slap at piano.

This practice serves to show students that a different part of the tongue is used

for different dynamics. This exercise also improves endurance and helps to

alleviate fatigue in the tongue.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?  

Clarity of diction, compliance to the indicated pitch and dynamics, ability to

play at a certain speed.

 

6. In your experience, what is the general time frame a typical undergraduate

student needs to become “successful"? 

96

[NO RESPONSE] 

 

7. Do you integrate the study of slap tongue into your undergraduate curriculum,

or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

This is part of necessary technical knowledge. 

8. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing? 

The slap mechanism is the same on all the saxophones, but the part of

the tongue that produces the effect changes depending on the size of the

mouthpiece, and therefore the reed. 

97

ORIGINAL VERSION: Marie-Bernadette CHARRIER

Director Artistique, PROXIMA CENTAURI Vice President de l’ASAX (Association des Saxophonists)

Professor de saxophone et musique de chamber conteporaine Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Bordeaux

Professor de saxophone et musique de chamber conteporaine CEFEDEM, Aquitaine

1. Comment/en quelle cycle est-ce que vous commencer a travailler avec un

élève aux « slaps ? »

En général en cycle II mais cela peut être avant ou plus tard, chaque

étudiant est différent.

2. Comment expliquez-vous le mécanisme du slap aux élèves ?

Je commence par expliquer le placement de la langue pour les différents

types d’attaques. Le début du travail du slap se fait devant un miroir , la bouche

ouverte afin de contrôler l’indépendance du mouvement de la langue sur l’anche

indépendamment du mouvement de la mâchoire. Très souvent, le fait de ne pas

savoir jouer un slap est une question de musculation de la langue. Ce travail

peut être de durée très différente selon les conditions physiques de chaque

personne mais tous savent réaliser le slap en fin d’année.

3. Comment différentier-vous les slaps « ouverts » entre les slaps « fermés ? »

Normalement, après de commencer a travailler les slaps, font les élèves un

meilleur que l’autre ?

98

Ce sont deux attaques différentes et surtout ces slaps ne donnent pas les

mêmes hauteurs. Ce sont deux gestes musicaux différents, très souvent on ne

peut pas le remplacer par l’autre, c’est pourquoi il est important de connaître ces

deux techniques.

Seul, le texte musical de chaque compositeur peut nous guider.

4. Quelles recherches, exercices, et ouvres est-ce que vous donnez aux élèves

pour améliorer leurs façon de jouer les slaps? Si vous avez vos propres

exercices, est-ce que vous pouvez les partager ?

Technique déjà expliquée ci-dessus, puis afin d’améliorer la vélocité de ce

mode de jeu : pratiquez sur une gamme le jeu de slaps avec des rythmes variés

et un jeu de dynamiques : un slap F enchainé avec un slap P. Ce travail permet

de constater que la partie de la langue utilisée est différente selon les

dynamiques. Cet exercice permet d’acquérir un rythme d’endurance et d’alléger

la fatigue de la langue.

5. Quel criteria employer-vous pour évaluer la niveau et progrès de vos élèves

par rapport de respiration circulaire ? 

Clarté de diction, respect de la hauteur et de la dynamique demandées,

acquisition d’une certaine vélocité 

 

6. D'après votre expérience, quel est le calendrier général un étudiant de

premier cycle typique doit devenir «succès»?

99

[AUCUNE RÉPONSE] 

7. Pensez-vous intégrer l'étude de les slaps dans votre programme de premier

cycle, ou attendez-vous pour les étudiants de s'informer à ce sujet?

Cela fait partie des techniques à connaitre 

 

8. Quel est l'impact du saxophone (soprano, alto, ténor, baryton) avoir sur cette

technique, et ne vous modifier votre approche de cette technique en aucune

façon à accueillir quel membre de la famille des saxophones, vous ou un

étudiant est de jouer? 

La technique du slap reste la même avec tous les saxophones mais la

partie de la langue utilisée change en fonction de la taille du bec et donc de

l’anche.

100

David Dees Associate Professor of Saxophone

Texas Tech University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

slap tongue for the first time?

Freshman

2. How do you describe or demonstrate the mechanism of the slap tongue?

Tongue is flatter on reed, creates a vacuum, pulls the reed down, off the

mouthpiece. Practice with just a reed – no mouthpiece to illustrate angle and

nature of contact with reed.

3. Do you differentiate between “open,” or “unpitched” slaps and “closed,” or  

“pitched” slaps? Do your students tend to perform one or the other more

effectively at first?

It seems that pitched slaps tend to happen first

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique?

If you have a self-created exercise, would you consider sharing it? Some

folks seem to learn slap tongue easily – I had to work on it for about two months

– usually mostly trial and error – cutting my tongue etc.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

101

Success with rep.

6. In your experience, what is the general time frame a typical undergraduate

student needs to become “successful"?

Like circular breathing, it seems to vary widely – some are fast, some are

like me and take two or three months.

7. Do you integrate the study of slap tongue into your undergraduate curriculum,

or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I bring it up always to get people experimenting early.

8. Are there common mistakes or pitfalls that you have seen students

experience? If yes, how do you address these problems?

Mostly pitfalls are frustration with lack of instant gratification –if they can

get pat that they will usually persist and succeed.

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

The biggest horns are the easiest for me to slap on. Same technique

across the horns.

102

Geoffrey Scott Deibel Visiting Assistant Professor of Saxophone

University of Florida

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

slap tongue for the first time?

Same as other answers [“whenever the music necessitates”]

2. How do you describe or demonstrate the mechanism of the slap tongue?

Closing the reed off with the tongue, thereby creating a vacuum or suction

with the tongue the same way one would with a spoon. Getting more tongue on

more of the reed. It is all about the contact between the tongue and reed.

3. Do you differentiate between “open,” or “unpitched” slaps and “closed,” or

“pitched” slaps? Do your students tend to perform one or the other more

effectively at first?

Yes. Open or unpitched is often easier at first. If they can get the basic

technique down, then adding pitch is as simple as adding some air behind the

slap.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

I try having them perform the technique with just mouthpiece, then

mouthpiece and neck.

103

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

They must get the right sound for the music

6. In your experience, what is the general time frame a typical undergraduate

student needs to become “successful"?

Can be anywhere from a day to six months—no technique is harder to

teach in my experience.

7. Do you integrate the study of slap tongue into your undergraduate curriculum,

or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

See other answers.

8. Are there common mistakes or pitfalls that you have seen students

experience? If yes, how do you address these problems?

They try a “kissing” motion or some other erroneous movement. They

often don’t understand that the suction comes from the pressure of the tongue,

which is understandably counterintuitive.

104

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

The lower the instrument, the easier it is to do this technique.

105

TRANSLATION:

Philippe Geiss Professor of Saxophone

Conservatoire de Strasbourg Pôle Alsace d’Enseignement Supérieur des Arts

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

slap tongue for the first time? 

From beginners, so that we can benefit from the natural instincts that

beginners have.

2. How do you describe or demonstrate the mechanism of the slap tongue?

This depends on the age of the student. Several possibilities:

a) Very dry staccato

b) Tongue-ram (inverted slap)

c) Demonstration of the slap without the ligature

d) Clicking the [against the roof of the mouth]

e) Beginning with large saxophones (tenor, baritone, bass) and then

soprano, sopranino

3. Do you differentiate between “open,” or “unpitched” slaps and “closed,” or  

“pitched” slaps? Do your students tend to perform one or the other more

effectively at first?

Open

Closed without sustain (resonant sound)

106

With sostenuto

For those who like to experiment: slaps on different parts of the tongue

(front, back)

Open slaps are sometimes easier for some students, above all on the

large saxophones (tenor, baritone)

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

The composition Beat Me!82 by Barry Cockroft is an excellent introduction

for slaps because there is always a tongue ram that prepares the position of the

slap.

[Questions 5 – 6 Eliminated ]

 

7. Do you integrate the study of slap tongue into your undergraduate curriculum,

or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

Yes, slaps from the first cycle to maintain the natural gesture, devoid of

intellectualism.  

8. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

82 Barry Cockroft, Beat me! for solo tenor saxophone (Melbourne: Reed music, 2007). 

107

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing? 

To go from the large saxophones to the small ones because the slap is

harder to do on the small than the large.

108

ORIGINAL VERSION:

Philippe Geiss Professor of Saxophone

Conservatoire de Strasbourg Pôle Alsace d’Enseignement Supérieur des Arts

1. Comment/en quelle cycle est-ce que vous commencer a travailler avec un

élève aux « slaps ? »

Dès le 1er cycle pour profiter de l’intiution naturelle des enfants débutants

2. Comment expliquez-vous le mécanisme du slap aux élèves ?

Cela dépend de l’âge.

Plusieurs possibilités :

a) Staccato très sec

b) Tongue ram = slap inversé

c) Démonstration du slap sans ligature

d) Claquer de la langue

e) D’abord gros saxophones (tenor, bar, bass) puis ensuite Alto, sop,

sopranino

3. Comment différentier-vous les slaps « ouverts » entre les slaps « fermés ? »

Normalement, après de commencer a travailler les slaps, font les élèves un

meilleur que l’autre ?

Différentes sortes de slaps :

‐ Ouvert

109

‐ Fermé sans sostenuto (son prolongé)

‐ Avec sostenuto

‐ Pour les plus expérimentés : slaps sur différentes zones de la langue

(avant, arrière)

Les slaps ouverts sont quelques fois plus faciles pour certains, surtout sur

les gros saxophones (Tenor, Baryton)

[Questions 5 – 6 Eliminated ]

7. Pensez-vous intégrer l'étude de les slaps dans votre programme de premier

cycle, ou attendez-vous pour les étudiants de s'informer à ce sujet?

- Oui, Slaps dès le 1er cycle pour garder le geste naturel sans

intelectualisation

8. Quel est l'impact du saxophone (soprano, alto, ténor, baryton) avoir sur cette

technique, et ne vous modifier votre approche de cette technique en aucune

façon à accueillir quel membre de la famille des saxophones, vous ou un

étudiant est de jouer?

- Aller des gros saxophones vers les plus petits car le slap est plus facile

sur les gros

110

Jeffrey Heisler Assistant Professor of Saxophone

Kent State University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

slap tongue for the first time?

Many young students have trouble producing a clean articulation in the

low register and already have a quasi slap tongue due articulation with to much

surface area of the tongue and reed. If this is the case, I generally do not

encourage introducing slap tonguing until they are able to naturally articulate

cleanly. I am a believer that we should start our students as young as possible

with exploring new sounds and contemporary techniques. As soon as students

are able to control the articulation of the low register, I will begin discussing other

forms of articulation.

I find that the sooner we introduce these techniques, the more open,

creative, and interested the students are in exploring these sounds. This is

especially important because the older we get, the more we place difficulty on

new techniques. I will generally introduce slap tonguing when discussing Rudy

Wiedoeft (Slap’n Sax or Sax-O-Phun), Christian Lauba or even the improvisation

section of Noda: Improvisation #1.

2. How do you describe or demonstrate the mechanism of the slap tongue?

I try to teach a “closed” slap tongue first. I find that many students can

achieve the desired sound of an “open” slap more easily without grasping the

crucial concept of the closed slap technique.

111

I start by having the student create suction on the reed along with the

tongue. Finding the right spot in the middle of the tongue to create suction on the

reed is crucial. I often have student mimic the same gesture as “clicking” the

tongue with suction on the roof of the mouth. Once a student has gain mastery

of suction of the reed alone, I will then have them get the same suction of the

reed while attached to the mouthpiece. Without adding air at this moment, the

student should produce a small “ki-ki” slap sound by pulling the tongue back and

off of the reed after first creating suction. This step usually takes a while for a

student to gain mastery.

Once successful, I then have the student attached the mouthpiece to the

body of the horn for resonance. This is where I introduce the crucial step of

simultaneously adding a small bust of air to the “slap” to resonate the desired

pitch. I find that it is helpful to have the students start with slapping whole notes

so they properly use their air to support and resonate the sound. Then I have

them shorted the duration down to the short bursts of air to get the slap sounds

indicative of Christian Lauba’s Jungle.

For “open” slap, I have the student say the word “tuck” while using a bust

of air to propel the mouthpiece out the mouth, thus “popping” the reed in the

process.

3. Do you differentiate between “open,” or “unpitched” slaps and “closed,” or  

“pitched” slaps? Do your students tend to perform one or the other more

effectively at first?

112

See above – Yes, I find that most students perform open slaps better at

first. This is due to lack of experience of using the tongue to create suction of the

reed for a closed slap.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

[No Response]

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?  

[No Response] 

 

6. In your experience, what is the general time frame a typical undergraduate

student needs to become “successful"? 

An open slap could take a few days or weeks.

A closed slap usually takes a couple months or even years to cultivate. 

 

7. Do you integrate the study of slap tongue into your undergraduate curriculum,

or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I usually try to engage my young undegraduates into exploring

contemporary techniques right away. I find there is great interest in how to

produce the sounds they are hearing in our repertoire. Mostly, I will integrate

113

these techniques as a student inquires about them, however, I am finding that

many are eager to learn, or mimic, the sounds of the older students.

 

8. Are there common mistakes or pitfalls that you have seen students

experience? If yes, how do you address these problems?

Many times, the main problem with slap tonguing is many students use

too much embouchure pressure to try to create “more suction” on the reed before

articulating. This will not allow the reed to “pop” and vibrate probably after air is

introduced for resonance. Squeezing the mouthpiece too hard will inhibit the

resonance of this technique. Normal embouchure strength is crucial for a closed

slap tongue. In addition, I find that trying to learn to slap on hard reeds is not

very effective. I usually will introduce the technique on softer reeds (2.5 or 3).

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

Learning to slap on larger instruments is great for students. It is much

easier to gain suction on baritone and tenor reeds / mouthpieces that alto and

soprano. I usually try to have them work with a tenor or baritone saxophone

when starting this technique, if possible.

114

John Sampen Distinguished Artist Professor, Coordinator of Woodwind Area

Bowling Green State University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

slap tongue for the first time?

Slap Tongues are generally introduced by fellow student saxophonists at

BGSU and this probably happens during the first semester of freshman year. I

work on the technique in lessons approximately in the junior year.

2. How do you describe or demonstrate the mechanism of the slap tongue?

The slap tongue involves the creation of a suction between one’s tongue

and the reed which can create a “pop” when released.

3. Do you differentiate between “open,” or “unpitched” slaps and “closed,” or

“pitched” slaps? Do your students tend to perform one or the other more

effectively at first?

Yes—I differentiate between open and closed. Probably the open slap is

more successful in early tries by the student.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

115

There are plenty of “advanced” resources for practicing slap tongues (e.g.,

music of Christian Lauba) but not much for the beginner. The successful

production involves much experimentation between teacher and student.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

Criteria for success would include a high performance success percentage

and the ability to articulate slaps in a quick succession.

6. In your experience, what is the general time frame a typical undergraduate

student needs to become “successful"?

Generally the development of good slap tongues will take about one year

but sometimes a student can master these overnight.

7. Do you integrate the study of slap tongue into your undergraduate curriculum,

or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

No—we work on the technique when needed for the literature.

8. Are there common mistakes or pitfalls that you have seen students

experience? If yes, how do you address these problems?

116

I have recently seen some students push the tongues forward out of the

mouth in order to set and articulate their slap. Most slap tonguing problems are a

result of the student’s misunderstanding of their tongue/throat/reed positions.

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

Baritone is generally the easiest and the soprano most difficult in

producing good slap tongues.

117

Rhonda Taylor College Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Music Theory

New Mexico State University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

slap tongue for the first time?

I introduce slap tonguing on a case-by-case basis with students; it

depends on the individual. Usually my students begin working on slap tonguing in

late undergraduate studies or early graduate studies.

2. How do you describe or demonstrate the mechanism of the slap tongue?

I demonstrate the slap without equipment at first (creating a suction cup

shape with the tongue against the hard palate and the pulling the tongue down

uniformly to create a "pop"), then with just the reed, and then finally with an

assembled saxophone.

3. Do you differentiate between “open,” or “unpitched” slaps and “closed,” or

“pitched” slaps? Do your students tend to perform one or the other more

effectively at first?

Yes. I find that most students have success with the open slaps at first

and then gradually move towards closed slaps as they gain control.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

118

Lauba's Jungle83 comes to mind of course, but as with double tonguing it

is also very easy to use scales as a vehicle to work on slap tonguing, both on

repeated notes and between notes, with a metronome. Most students need to

begin somewhere in the middle of the saxophone range and gradually work

towards extreme high and low notes.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

I ask myself the following: Can the student execute the slap tongue

consistently in the context of the music? In other words, are other parameters like

dynamics and timbre accurate? Also, if there are multiple slap tongues (whether

in a row or appearing intermittently), are they consistent throughout the work?

6. In your experience, what is the general time frame a typical undergraduate

student needs to become “successful"?

Usually a semester.

7. Do you integrate the study of slap tongue into your undergraduate curriculum,

or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

See #1.

8. Are there common mistakes or pitfalls that you have seen students

83 Christian Lauba, Neuf études pour saxophones en 4 cahiers = Nine etudes for saxophones in 4 books (Paris: A. Leduc, 1996). 

119

experience? If yes, how do you address these problems?

Students tend to practice slap tonguing a lot, and then fatigue, and then

don't work on the skill for a few days. In my experience, it is best to work on slap

tonguing every day for a short period of time. I discuss this with students in their

lessons.

9. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

As I mentioned in #3, my students seem to have more success with the

open slaps. Not surprisingly, most students also seem to have more success at

first with a larger setup. Students who may be frustrated beginning slap tonguing

on alto may have more success beginning on tenor or baritone, and then moving

up to alto and soprano saxophone and they gain more precision and control.

120

APPENDIX THREE TECHNIQUE QUESTIONNAIRES:

MULTIPLE TONGUING

121

SERGE BERTOCCHI PROFESSOR OF SAXOPHONE

CONSERVATOIRE À RAYONNEMENT RÉGIONAL D’AMIENS, FRANCE

1. Comment/en quelle cycle est-ce que vous commencer a travailler avec un

élève aux double- et triple- détaché ?

[1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiple tonguing?]

Well, as a matter of fact, I’m not really fond neither specialised in this

particular technique. Probably because it needs to be studied very regularly and

it is not often necessary in modern music. I often use it as a «savage» element in

some pieces, but avoid it most of the time. For students, I only teach it to those

who have a problem with quick staccato. I never use/teach triple staccato, I think.

2. A votre avis, est-ce qu’il est important pour les élèves en premier cycle ?

Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas ? En perfectionnement?

[2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to double-tongue or

triple-tongue as an undergraduate? As a graduate student?]

Unimportant in 1rst Cycle, and probably a bit dangerous : try to buid a

passion for TKT exercises to a 10 year old ... As usual, the answer is different for

a Perfectioning student, essentially because repertory will induce needs

concerning double staccato.

3. Comment est-ce que vous enseigner vos élèves comment faire le double- et

122

triple- détaché ? Par exemple, quels syllabes employez-vous, staccato et legato,

etc.

[3. What is your process for teaching multiple tonguing? In particular, please

discuss what syllables you use, use of staccato or legato, integration into

technique, etc.]

I usually ask them to pronounce «Ta-Kha-Ta-Kha», with heavy accents on

Kha. First rather slowly, on a 1-octave scale, then alternated with ordinary

staccato. “Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta,” “Kha-Kha-Kha-Kha,” “Ta-Kha-Ta-Kha.” Then trying to

get higher and lower, quicker, dynamic differences…

4. Quelles sortes de ressources, des exercices, et / ou répertoire donnez-vous

aux étudiants pour les aider à améliorer cette technique? Si vous avez un

exercice d'auto-créé, envisageriez-vous la partager?

[4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?]

No exercise on double tonguing in my techniques du sax. See above.

5. Quels sont les critères utilisez-vous pour évaluer la maîtrise d'un étudiant et

le progrès avec cette technique?

123

[5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?]

When you don’t notice it any more, you master it...

6. Est-ce que vous intégrer l'étude de double détaché dans votre programme de

premier cycle, ou attendez-vous pour les étudiants de s'informer à ce sujet?

[6. Do you integrate the study of multiple tonguing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?]

NO. End of 2nd cycle most of the time : when tempo needs get harder...

7. Typiquement, combien de temps prend vos élèves de bien jouer en double-

ou triple détaché ?

[7. Typically, how long does it take for one of your students to achieve a

successful, clean double and/or triple tongue?]

Sorry...no idea...it’s very different from one to the other.

8. Offrez-vous des étudiants des exercices pour le maintien continu de cette

technique après qu'ils ont atteint une maîtrise suffisante?

[8. Do you offer students any exercises for the continued maintenance of this

technique after they have achieved sufficient mastery?]

No, sorry again.

9. Avez-vous de l’expérience dans votre enseignement de double ou triple-

124

détacher dans les suraigus?

[9. Do you have any experience in your teaching or personal playing of double-

or triple-tonguing in the altissimo register?]

NOOOO!!! Can you do that?

10. Quel est l'impact du saxophone (soprano, alto, ténor, baryton) sur cette

technique, et ne vous modifier votre approche de cette technique en aucune

façon à accueillir quel membre de la famille des saxophones, vous ou un

étudiant est de jouer?

[10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?]

I guess It is simpler on saxophones with {une impédance élevée} [greater

resistance] like the soprano. I would recommend this one.

125

TRANSLATION:

Marie-Bernadette Charrier

Artistic Director, PROXIMA CENTAURI Vice President of l’ASAX (French Saxophonists Association) Professor of Saxophone and Contemporary Chamber Music

Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Bordeaux Professor of Saxophone and Contemporary Chamber Music

CEFEDEM, Aquitaine

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiple tonguing?

In general, at the end of cycle 2, but it can be initiated sooner if the

student has sufficiently mastered single tonguing and staccato.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to double-tongue or

triple-tongue as an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

It could be interesting to begin working on this technique in Cycle 1, but

does not excuse a student from working to master single tonguing at as fast of a

tempo as possible. I heard a young saxophonist who had learned double

tonguing too early in his development, and he could not even single tongue at an

average speed.

During graduate study, of course, the study of all types of tonguing is

important so that a student can respond to the musical [and technical] demands

of advanced compositions.

126

3. What is your process for teaching multiple tonguing? In particular, please

discuss what syllables you use, use of staccato or legato, integration into

technique, etc.

At the beginning, I ask students to sing (this is very important for me and

for the music. Onstage, we play the role of an actor; we speak with sound—

music is a language, and we must appropriate the text and then transmit it with

the instrument).

This is what we work on: te ke te ke [the French vowel “e” in this case

can be approximated in English as the “u” in the word “dug”] for the low and

middle register, and ti-ki ti-ki [as “ea” in the English word “tea”] for the high

register. This allows us to feel and memorize the placement of the tongue and

therefore, the position of the oral cavity. Then, reverse this same exercise—ke te

ke te and ki ti ki ti with various rhythms.

For triple tongue, use tekete tekete—tekeke tekeke—tekete keteke with

various rhythms. For a more legato sound, use degedege, digidigi. All of this

must be performed with a continuous, supported sostenuto sound.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

Begin on a single mid-register note, then change each every four notes,

then complete this technique on a full scale, then with arpeggios. Then, work on

repertoire from the end of the nineteenth century, which is effectively a series of

127

scales and arpeggios.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

Listen for the a homogenous staccato sound in the various registers, and

the clarity of the diction.

6. Do you integrate the study of multiple tonguing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

The study of double or triple staccato should begin when a young

saxophonist begins to master single-tonguing and is able to control his or her air

pressure/support.

7. Typically, how long does it take for one of your students to achieve a

successful, clean double and/or triple tongue?

The time varies according to the student; it can take anywhere from fifteen

days to 2-3 years.

8. Do you offer students any exercises for the continued maintenance of this

technique after they have achieved sufficient mastery?

The method to maintain good technique is daily practice. A technique is

never acquired for life—it must be nurtured.

128

9. Do you have any experience in your teaching or personal playing of double-

or triple-tonguing in the altissimo register?

It’s true that using double- or triple-tonguing is more difficult in the

altissimo register the placement of the tongue in the “ke” or “ge,” which is why I

think “ki” or “gi,” so that the tongue is closer to the roof of the mouth, or soft

palate. If I have to play very high, I cheat and play the staccato attack with my

throat.

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

The use of double- or triple-tongue is easier on the soprano saxophone

than the bass. The technique is slightly modified, always related to the placement

of the tongue. These are internal sensations that must be memorized. I cannot

go into detail in this context; I would need more time to accurately explain this.

129

ORIGINAL VERSION:

Marie-Bernadette CHARRIER Director Artistique, PROXIMA CENTAURI

Vice President de l’ASAX (Association des Saxophonists) Professor de saxophone et musique de chamber conteporaine

Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Bordeaux Professor de saxophone et musique de chamber conteporaine

CEFEDEM, Aquitaine

1. Comment/en quelle cycle est-ce que vous commencer a travailler avec un

élève aux double- et triple- détaché ?

En général fin de cycle 2 mais cela peut être initier avant si le staccato

simple est bien maîtrisé.

2. A votre avis, est-ce qu’il est important pour les élèves en premier cycle ?

Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas ? En perfectionnement? Pourquoi ?

Cela peut être intéressant de le montrer en cycle 1 mais ne doit pas

supprimer la maîtrise du staccato simple le plus rapide possible. J'ai entendu une

jeune saxophoniste qui avait appris le double staccato trop tôt et ne pouvait pas

détacher simplement dans une vélocité moyenne.

En perfectionnement, la pratique de tous les staccatos doit être bien sûr

travaillée et maîtrisée afin de pouvoir répondre aux besoins musicaux demandés

dans les œuvres.

3. Comment est-ce que vous enseigner vos élèves comment faire le double- et

triple- détaché ? Par exemple, quels syllabes employez-vous, staccato et legato,

etc.

130

Au départ, je fais chanter les étudiants (cette pratique est très importante

pour moi et cela pour tous les paramètres de la musique. Sur scène, nous jouons

un rôle d'acteur, nous parlons avec les sons - la musique est un langage - nous

devons nous approprier le texte puis le transmettre par l'instrument).

Un travail sur : te ke te ke pour le registre grave, médium et ti ki ti ki pour

le registre aigu, cela permet de sentir et de mémoriser le placement de la langue

et donc, la position de la cavité buccale. Puis renversement ketekete et kitikiti

puis avec des rythmes diverses. Le triple sur tekete tekete - tekeke tekeke -

tekete keteke puis avec des rythmes.

Pour le legato, utilisez degedege, digidigi. Ce travail doit se réaliser avec

un sostenuto continu.

4. Quelles sortes de ressources, des exercices, et / ou répertoire donnez-vous

aux étudiants pour les aider à améliorer cette technique? Si vous avez un

exercice d'auto-créé, envisageriez-vous la partager?

Commencer sur une seule note médium, puis changer toutes les4 notes,

puis intégrer cette technique sur une gamme complète, puis avec les arpèges.

Prendre le répertoire fin du XIX e , qui est un enchaînement de gammes,

d'arpèges.

5. Quels sont les critères utilisez-vous pour évaluer la maîtrise d'un étudiant et le

progrès avec cette technique?

131

Écouter l'homogénéité du staccato dans les divers registres, la clarté de

diction.

6. Est-ce que vous intégrer l'étude de double détaché dans votre programme de

premier cycle, ou attendez-vous pour les étudiants de s'informer à ce sujet?

Le travail du double staccato ou triple se réalise lorsque le jeune

saxophoniste commence à bien maîtriser le staccato simple et le contrôle de la

pression d'air.7. Typiquement, combien de temps prend vos élèves de bien jouer

en double- ou triple détaché ?

Le temps varie en fonction de chacun, cela peut aller de 15 jours à 2, 3

ans.

8. Offrez-vous des étudiants des exercices pour le maintien continu de cette

technique après qu'ils ont atteint une maîtrise suffisante?

La méthode pour maintenir une bonne technique est le travail quotidien.

Une technique n'est jamais acquise à vie, elle s'entretient.9. Avez-vous de

l’expérience dans votre enseignement de double ou triple-détacher dans les

suraigus?

C'est vrai que l'utilisation du double ou triple staccato est plus difficile dans

le registre suraigu dû au placement de la langue lors du ke ou ge , c'est pourquoi

je pense ki ou gi favorisant la position de la langue proche du Voile du palais.

Lorsque les notes sont très aiguës, je triche en faisant la stacc avec la gorge.

132

10. Quel est l'impact du saxophone (soprano, alto, ténor, baryton) sur cette

technique, et ne vous modifier votre approche de cette technique en aucune

façon à accueillir quel membre de la famille des saxophones, vous ou un

étudiant est de jouer?

L'utilisation du double ou triple est plus aisée avec un saxophone soprano

qu'un basse. La technique est légèrement modifiée, toujours liée au placement

de la langue. Ce sont des sensations internes qu'il faut mémoriser. Je ne peux

pas rentrer dans le détail, il me faudrait plus de temps.

133

David Dees Associate Professor of Saxophone

Texas Tech University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiple tonguing?

Undergrad – if they are set up well fundamentally

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to double-tongue or

triple-tongue as an undergraduate?

As a graduate student? Much more so as grad – mainly for Albright84

3. What is your process for teaching multiple tonguing?

In particular, please discuss what syllables you use, use of staccato or

legato, integration into technique, etc. Lots of soft, legato consonants “duh guh”

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

Nothing too special here. Start in the middle of the horn and work out –

working on both quantity and quality approaches to practicing.

84 William Albright, Sonata, alto saxophone ([S.l.]: Henmar Press, 1990). 

134

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?  

Success with pieces. 

 

6. Do you integrate the study of multiple tonguing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

With undergrads who are looking to go to grad school.

7. Typically, how long does it take for one of your students to achieve a

successful, clean double and/or triple tongue?

It varies widely – some never get it - 1 or 2 had it as freshman

8. Do you offer students any exercises for the continued maintenance of this

technique after they have achieved sufficient mastery?

1 octave scales in all registers

 

9. Do you have any experience in your teaching or personal playing of double-

or triple-tonguing in the altissimo register?

Berio [Sequenza] VIIb85

85 Luciano Berio, and Claude Delangle, Sequenza VIIb: per sassofono soprano in si� (Wien: Universal Edition, 1995). 

135

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

Seems easier on smaller [tip opening] mouthpieces.

136

 Geoffrey Scott Deibel Visiting Assistant Professor of Saxophone

University of Florida  

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiple tonguing?

As I mentioned before, when necessary, but I do introduce any and all

extended techniques when I feel the student is ready.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to double-tongue or

triple-tongue as an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

As with circular breathing, useful as an undergrad, necessary as a grad.

Also as repertoire demands. Triple tonguing seems to be unnecessary for single

reed players.

3. What is your process for teaching multiple tonguing? In particular, please

discuss what syllables you use, use of staccato or legato, integration into

technique, etc.

The first step is to make the Tah sound as identical as possible to the Kah.

In terms of syllables, it’s usually most useful to find something that works best for

the student. I use Tah Kah for regular articulations, Tih Kih for staccato, and

Duh-Guh for legato with an emphasis on pushing air in between notes (generally

speaking). Once the Kah works, getting an even switch between the two is the

next step. Students always want to revert to a dotted rhythm, so getting even

8ths or 16ths is critical. One thing that can really help with evenness is playing

137

triplets. Once the student can do all of these things on single notes, simple

exercises with changing notes can be introduced. One further concept for

technique—the knowledge that the roof of the mouth is curved, and if one can

move the flat tongue up higher so that it has a shorter distance to travel between

T and K.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

I have etudes but I can’t remember who wrote them. Introducing it into a

piece that the student is familiar with can help, too (Tableaux V for example).

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?  

  If I can’t tell that they’re double-tonguing. 

 

6. Do you integrate the study of multiple tonguing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it? 

  It can be one of any extended techniques that I have them work on as part

of their practice routine, and if it comes up earlier in repertoire, then they get it

earlier.

138

 

7. Typically, how long does it take for one of your students to achieve a

successful, clean double and/or triple tongue?

2-3 lessons.

8. Do you offer students any exercises for the continued maintenance of this

technique after they have achieved sufficient mastery?

Like any technical mastery, working with metronome is always helpful for

speed. Extending range is a necessity, and of course the style of double tongue

must be appropriate for the music. 

 

9. Do you have any experience in your teaching or personal playing of double-

or triple-tonguing in the altissimo register?

Haven’t had to do it.

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?  

  Sometimes not using the octave key on the bari is helpful.

139

Timothy Roberts Associate Professor of Saxophone

Shenandoah Conservatory  

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiple tonguing?

After they have mastered a smooth single tongue in [sixteenth notes] at

quarter note = 152.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to double-tongue or

triple-tongue as an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

Very important—especially to be able to keep up with other instruments in

contemporary band literature.

3. What is your process for teaching multiple tonguing? In particular, please

discuss what syllables you use, use of staccato or legato, integration into

technique, etc.

Tah-Kah. Do first on one note, then integrate into a major scale, then into

the repertoire.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

See above.

140

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

Does it sound like a single-tongue?

6. Do you integrate the study of multiple tonguing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I integrate it as soon as they can single tongue sixteenth notes at quarter

note=152.

7. Typically, how long does it take for one of your students to achieve a

successful, clean double and/or triple tongue?

Should only take a few weeks if they’re practicing correctly.

8. Do you offer students any exercises for the continued maintenance of this

technique after they have achieved sufficient mastery?

Must be able to apply it spontaneously to any piece of repertoire.

9. Do you have any experience in your teaching or personal playing of double-

or triple-tonguing in the altissimo register?

No—not practical.

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

141

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

NO! The only limitation is the extreme bottom and top range of the

instrument, no matter which voice it is.

142

John Sampen Distinguished Artist Professor, Coordinator of Woodwind Area

Bowling Green State University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiple tonguing?

Multiple Tonguing is generally introduced by fellow student saxophonists

at BGSU and this probably happens during the first semester of freshman year. I

work on the technique in lessons approximately in their junior year.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to double-tongue or

triple-tongue as an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

The technique is becoming rather important in new music and should be

addressed for both undergraduate and graduate students.

3. What is your process for teaching multiple tonguing? In particular, please

discuss what syllables you use, use of staccato or legato, integration into

technique, etc.

I use something like “Tah Kah Tah Kah”. (Don Sinta uses “Tak-Kit”).

The technique takes many weeks and months to perfect, so my approach is to

encourage short practice sessions without allowing too much frustration from the

student. Lots of the beginning process requires concentration on the production

of the “Kah”. Slow repeated notes and scales in the mid-range are best and

some daily work is required for progress. Air support and flowing air are

important ingredients for success.

143

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

I use articles by Robert Spring (“Multiple Articulation for the Clarinet”), and

Ted McDowell (“Double Tonguing for the Saxophone”) plus various pedagogical

documents by Londeix, Jim Umble, Tim McAllister and Donald Sinta.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

Ideally the multiple tonguing should sound like a single tongue articulation

and a speed of at least 160 per 4 quarter notes should be attained. 

 

6. Do you integrate the study of multiple tonguing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I have no particular inclusion of this in my curriculum—we study the

technique when required by the literature.

 

7. Typically, how long does it take for one of your students to achieve a

successful, clean double and/or triple tongue?

Multiple tonguing generally can take 1-2 years for mastery. Comfort with

this technique in the high and low registers is quite difficult and requires much

concentration and time. Air support is always important for this.

144

8. Do you offer students any exercises for the continued maintenance of this

technique after they have achieved sufficient mastery?

Nothing special other than daily practice routines involving scales.

 

9. Do you have any experience in your teaching or personal playing of double-

or triple-tonguing in the altissimo register?

No

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

I haven’t found that multiple tonguing is particularly different on the various

members of the saxophone family.

145

Rhonda Taylor College Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Music Theory

New Mexico State University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiple tonguing?

I introduce double tonguing on a case-by-case basis with students; it

depends on the individual. Usually my students begin working on double

tonguing in late undergraduate studies or early graduate studies.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to double-tongue or

triple-tongue as an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

I think it completely depends on how fast and well one can single tongue.

This varies widely from one student to the next, so regardless of degree program

or age, some students need this skill as an essential part of their technique, while

others do not.

3. What is your process for teaching multiple tonguing? In particular, please

discuss what syllables you use, use of staccato or legato, integration into

technique, etc.

To introduce double tonguing, I use the syllables "Tuk-Kit" and (switched

so that the agogic weight is on the newer, usually weaker syllable) "Kut-Tik".

These produce rather hard articulations. As the student gains more control, I

switch to "Dig-Guh", which is more facile.

146

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

Self-created exercises are so simple to create that the possibilities are

endless in this case. Scales are a great vehicle for working on double tonguing,

and just about any combination of articulation patterns (both repeated on a single

pitch as well as moving between pitches) are effective. As with any new

technique, I think it best to start simply (for instance, double tonguing groups of

repeated eighth notes on a single comfortable pitch as a comfortable metronome

speed) and expand in range and speed from there.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?  

The final criteria to me is asking if the articulations sound consistent and fit

into context of the music with all other musical parameters (dynamics, rhythm,

articulation style, phrasing, etc.) present.

 

6. Do you integrate the study of multiple tonguing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

See my responses to #1 and #2. 

 

147

7. Typically, how long does it take for one of your students to achieve a

successful, clean double and/or triple tongue?

One semester.

8. Do you offer students any exercises for the continued maintenance of this

technique after they have achieved sufficient mastery?

See my response to #4.

 

9. Do you have any experience in your teaching or personal playing of double-

or triple-tonguing in the altissimo register?

No.

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?  

I find that most students have success with the smaller saxophones (alto

and soprano), so it's usually easiest to begin this technique on one of the smaller

saxes and progress to the larger ones as students gain more control.

148

Kenneth Tse Professor of Saxophone

University of Iowa 1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiple tonguing?

It is difficult to make a generalized statement. Some students are able to

do many “interesting” techniques at high school or even younger age but some

graduate students have a hard time acquiring such “skills.” However, usually

when the students show curiosity and initiative, that is when I would introduce

them to multiple tonguing, after judging the fact that they are ready for it.

To judge whether the student is ready for multiple tonguing, he/she must

be competent in single tonguing and have a good overall understanding of the

inner workings of their oral cavity and the importance of proper tongue position.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to double-tongue or

triple-tongue as an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

Again, it depends on the student’s ability and the repertoire at hand. I

know many professionals who are on the top in our field but cannot or do not

multiple-tongue, yet they are the most respected musicians. I personally do not

require any of my students to master multiple tonguing but they must understand

the concept, know how to describe it, and be able to teach it.

149

3. What is your process for teaching multiple tonguing? In particular, please

discuss what syllables you use, use of staccato or legato, integration into

technique, etc.

First of all, unlike the “Tu-Ku” syllables that brass instruments and other

woodwinds such as the flute use, I recommend using the syllables “Ti-Ki.” “Ti”

refers to the active component of the tonguing and “Ki” would be the passive

interaction with the roof of one’s mouth. Basically, whatever syllables help you to

stabilize the back of the tongue and the air to touch the front top part of the upper

pallet (near the alveolar ridge) would do. Obviously, multiple tonguing different

registers would need slight adjustment inside the mouth, but in general the

tongue must not move too much and one should not engage much of the throat.

We cannot go into much detail at this time, but I suggest the study of articulatory

phonetics, where the understanding of the place (or point) of articulation plays an

incredibly significant role in one’s understanding and approach in tonguing,

obtaining resonant sound, and playing the saxophone in general.

Due to the nature of the single reed mouthpiece, it is almost impossible to

obtain a perfectly homogenous and consistent multiple-tonguing sound

compared to other instruments such as trumpet and flute. Therefore, I suggest

practicing fast but short bursts of several beats of multiple tonguing, whether

double or triple, and both in single note and scale fragments. Make certain they

are consistently (not homogenous in sound) controlled throughout the duration

(air support). I have seen people spending hours on end trying to make the

active and passive sounds the same, but when they actually play in tempo, the

150

multiple tonguing sounds are almost unavoidable. In short, rather than spending

all the time trying to make the impossible, make sure the speed of the tonguing is

consistent, the sound is even, and most importantly, the coordination between

the tonguing and the fingers are timed rightly.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

Many flute or brass double/triple tonguing exercises are good for our use.

I find that Jean-Louis Tulou’s flute exercises86 are very helpful as well.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?  

  Consistency in control, sound, air support and coordination of tongue and

fingers. 

 

6. Do you integrate the study of multiple tonguing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

See answer to Q. 1 

 

86 Jean Louis Tulou, Janice Dockendorff Boland, and Martha F. Cannon, A Method for the Flute (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1995).  

151

7. Typically, how long does it take for one of your students to achieve a

successful, clean double and/or triple tongue?

It depends on the definition of “clean.” With diligent and consistent

practicing daily, one should see result after a few weeks.

8. Do you offer students any exercises for the continued maintenance of this

technique after they have achieved sufficient mastery?

Once the student is flexible with his/her control on the saxophone and the

concept and technique of double/triple tonguing are acquired, it is probably not

necessary to practice multiple tonguing daily unless the repertoire requires such

technique. 

 

9. Do you have any experience in your teaching or personal playing of double-

or triple-tonguing in the altissimo register?

This is perhaps much easier to explain in a one-on-one lesson than in

words. The ability to multiple tongue in altissimo range has to do with the answer

to Q. 3; the mastery of one’s understanding in points of articulation inside the

mouth. Most syllables (even “Ti-Ki”) usually create too much motion inside the

mouth (both active and passive) to allow the reed to vibrate in extremely high

speed without interruption, hence loss of altissimo tone. Basically, one needs to

use as little passive “attack” as possible and use air mostly coming from the back

of the throat. Please pardon this as a “teaser” answer!

152

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?  

  Certainly! But the concept and approach are the same as discussed

above. Again, consider the points of articulation inside the mouth and

consistency in sound and control, and one should find the right actions and

“spots” for various sizes of mouthpieces. Flexibility is the key.

In closing, I personally do not spend a lot of time on this technique. First

of all, once I have the concept I can pick it up readily after practicing. Secondly,

unless one performs music that require such technique regularly, most standard

repertoire rarely “require” it. Like many other so-called extended techniques, if

any of it stifles the enjoyment and fulfillment of learning and music-making, it

becomes an end in itself.

153

James Umble Professor of Saxophone

Youngstown State University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiple tonguing?

I am asking this now of all performance majors starting at the latest

around the early sophomore year. Sooner for highly skilled entering Freshman,

they can start on it right away. It depends on the skills and background of each

student. I start as soon as seems advisable to discuss such techniques.

2. In your experience, how important is a student’s ability to double-tongue or

triple-tongue as an undergraduate? As a graduate student?

I think it is an important skill to be studied after the foundation of good

single tongue articulation is underway.

3. What is your process for teaching multiple tonguing? In particular, please

discuss what syllables you use, use of staccato or legato, integration into

technique, etc.

Syllables not always consistent student to student. Relaxation is important

I think so a more legato approach works early on. Experimenting with the location

of the tongue stroke is important. I use a handout that Don Sinta shared many

154

years ago, much based on something like the Arban87 trumpet double-tonguing

studies after some preliminary scale and repeated note studies.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

[No Response]

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

We spend a few quick minutes checking it out weekly, that is usually all

there is time for. But regular checking-in like this allows for continued

accountability in these areas of extended technique, and as each technique

takes time to acquire, regular (if brief) checks contribute to long-term acquisition. 

 

6. Do you integrate the study of multiple tonguing into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

As it takes a while to master, it is important to start early on for

performance majors. I do not always get it going with every [Music] Education

major, depending on the needs of the student.

87 J.-B. Arban, Edwin Franko Goldman, and Walter M. Smith. Arban's Complete Conservatory Method: For Trumpet (Cornet) or E� Alto, B� Tenor, Baritone, Euphonium and B� Bass in Treble Clef (New York: Carl Fischer, 1936). 

155

 

7. Typically, how long does it take for one of your students to achieve a

successful, clean double and/or triple tongue?

Varies- some can get it immediately, others have much difficulty.

8. Do you offer students any exercises for the continued maintenance of this

technique after they have achieved sufficient mastery?

I recommend a piece of music that requires it, such as Monti Czardas, or

Creston Concerto III as an ongoing goal for continued development.

 

9. Do you have any experience in your teaching or personal playing of double-

or triple-tonguing in the altissimo register?

Good question, I have found the extremes to be problematic for most.

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

Mostly discussed in context of alto or soprano at this point. 

156

APPENDIX FOUR TECHNIQUE QUESTIONNAIRES:

MULTIPHONICS

157

Serge Bertocchi Professor of Saxophone

Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional d’Amiens, France

1. Comment/en quelle cycle est-ce que vous commencer a travailler avec un

élève aux sons multiples ?

[1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiphonics?]

Multiphonics is a comparably easy modern technique.

2. Est-ce que vous commencer a travailler avec vos élèves sur les sons

multiples ?

[2. Are there particular multiphonics that you teach first, or do you address

multiphonics through repertoire as needed?]

Usually during the first cycle, I already use a few easy multiphonics. There

are two used in my Saxophone Method. One of my students composed a piece

using these during his first year of study. He was 10, and the piece was nice.

3. Qu’est-ce que vous faites quand un doigté fait par le compositeur pour un

son multiple ne marche pas?

[3. In repertoire, how do you deal with multiphonic fingerings that “don’t work?”]

158

No question : I change it. Most composers don’t really master the subtle

mechanics of multiphonics. So I find a sound with the same components

working in the specific dynamics.

4. Quelles sortes de ressources, des exercices, et / ou répertoire donnez-vous

aux étudiants pour les aider à améliorer cette technique? Si vous avez un

exercice d'auto-créé, envisageriez-vous la partager?

[4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?]

You will get tired of it, but I use my own material (“Techniques du

saxophone”)

5. Quels sont les critères utilisez-vous pour évaluer la maîtrise d'un étudiant et

le progrès avec cette technique?

[5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?]

As easy it might be to play a simple multiphonic, it might also become one

of the most difficult thing to do, either if the piece is miswritten (usually

incompatibility between sounds and written dynamics), or on the other hand, if

the composers have a wide mastery of the subject (like Giorgio Netti, using

exclusively 600 different multiphonics in his piece Necessità d’intuire la

dispiegata forma della luce). As usual, we will use music as a parameter:

159

pieces using only a few easy multiphonics as a start, then more and more

complicated...

6. Est-ce que vous travailler les sons multiples avec vos élèves pour les autres

raisons que répertoire, par exemple, pour développer le son ? Que faites-vous ?

[6. Do you use multiphonics with students for any pedagogical reason other than

performance? If yes, what is your objective?]

If I decided to teach multiphonics since the first year of saxophone, it is

also because there is a secondary goal apart to easiness. Most multiphonics will

imply a specific mouth-tongue position to be performed. The student will get the

idea that he is not playing only with his fingers: sound production is an

association of ear and memory...

7. Est-ce que vous intégrer l'étude des sons multiples dans votre programme

de premier cycle, ou attendez-vous pour les étudiants de s'informer à ce sujet?

[7. Do you integrate the study of multiphonics into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?]

Yes. No, I don’t wait : this is important matter.

160

8. Quelle est le rôle de l'équipement d'un élève à la bonne exécution des sons

multiples?

[8. Of what importance is the role of a student’s equipment to the successful

performance of multiphonics?]

It’s usually thought that a rather “large” facing will help produce complex

sounds. Also, most pieces were written using charts developed on Selmer [Paris]

or Buffet saxes. So it might be easier to play on these... but you can also look for

equivalent fingerings to fit YOUR saxophone.

9. Avez-vous des "trucs" pour obtenir des sons multiples difficiles de parler?

[9. Do you have any “tricks” for getting difficult multiphonics to speak?]

Of course. You might know that most of my activity as a musician is

dedicated to contemporary music, so I’m often confronted to multiphonics and I

acquired a few automatisms. As a matter of fact, I’m actually trying to play Ultimo

alato88 by Giorgio Netti, which is presumably the most difficult piece written up to

date (as far as multiphonics are concerned, Giorgio is the Pope). And I’m

surprised myself to see that even so-called “impossible” sounds can finally be

performed, when sufficient time is provided for them to mature.

10. Quel est l'impact du saxophone (soprano, alto, ténor, baryton) sur cette

technique, et ne vous modifier votre approche de cette technique en aucune

façon à accueillir quel membre de la famille des saxophones, vous ou un

88 Giorgio Netti, ultimo a lato (Milan: 2005). 

161

étudiant est de jouer?

[10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?]

You might be surprised,89 but for this, I wouldn’t recommend low register

saxophones (B, Bs, CBs), which are rather tricky as far as security is concerned.

Soprano seems the most interesting medium as far as I know. But every sax has

its own specific sounds to propose. I recorded a solo on mezzo-soprano on my

MySpace,90 if you want to have an idea of “difference.”

89 Bertocchi is a well-known advocate for low saxophones and the Tubax, a subcontrabass instrument related to the saxophone family 90 http://www.myspace.com/sergebertocchi  

162

TRANSLATION:

Marie-Bernadette Charrier Artistic Director, PROXIMA CENTAURI

Vice President of l’ASAX (French Saxophonists Association) Professor of Saxophone and Contemporary Chamber Music

Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Bordeaux Professor of Saxophone and Contemporary Chamber Music

CEFEDEM, Aquitaine

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiphonics?

Very early, because it allows students to acquire greater flexibility in

“placing” notes.

2. Are there particular multiphonics that you teach first, or do you address

multiphonics through repertoire as needed?

Practicing multiphonics begins by isolating each pitch in the multiphonic,

playing it, and memorizing the each sound’s position [in the throat]. This should

be done at a variety of dynamics. Following that, practice playing several

different multiphonics in a row one to another to develop flexibility and a certain

virtuosity.

3. In repertoire, how do you deal with multiphonic fingerings that “don’t work?”

I change it and try to respect the demanded color. For me, it is unbearable

to propose a multiphonic that is not well-balanced, or poorly mastered (in other

words, not balanced within fragility or within instability). Generally, the composer

does not play the saxophone, but found a multiphonic that corresponds to the

163

harmony or a desired timbre. If the fingering doesn’t permit this, it is our role as

interpreters to search for and propose a solution so that the composer’s

intentions are honored.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

You must learn to control each pitch of a multiphonic independently, and

for me, there is always one pitch in the multiphonic that allows me to balance the

multiphonic, and it is up to everyone to find that for him or herself.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?  

  To anticipate the creation of the multiphonic, control the position of the

pitches, and be comfortable with the position of the fingers. The multiphonic

should be correct, and stable… 

 

6. Do you use multiphonics with students for any pedagogical reason other than

performance? If yes, what is your objective? 

  This is integral in the preparation of the technique, and the allows students

to be more flexible with the creation of pitches. 

 

164

7. Do you integrate the study of multiphonics into your undergraduate curriculum,

or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

As I said before, I begin very early.  

 

8. Of what importance is the role of a student’s equipment to the successful

performance of multiphonics?  

  I have found that multiphonics are easier to play with a softer reed, and

concerning mouthpieces, Selmer [Paris] mouthpieces produce the multiphonics

more easily.  

 

9. Do you have any “tricks” for getting difficult multiphonics to speak?  

  It’s true that for me, I have never encountered any great difficulty in

producing multiphonics. I know that what I try to advise is to find a greater

awareness of internal sensations, and a knowledge of the role of the tongue

allows for the easier creation of multiphonics. 

 

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

165

The technique of multiphonics is the same regardless of the saxophone.

Certain multiphonics are easier than others on various instruments. For me,

control and awareness of the position of each note [in the multiphonic] is

essential.  

166

ORIGINAL VERSION:

Marie-Bernadette CHARRIER Director Artistique, PROXIMA CENTAURI

Vice President de l’ASAX (Association des Saxophonists) Professor de saxophone et musique de chamber conteporaine

Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Bordeaux Professor de saxophone et musique de chamber conteporaine

CEFEDEM, Aquitaine

1. Comment/en quelle cycle est-ce que vous commencer a travailler avec un

élève aux sons multiples ?

Très tôt, cela permet d’acquérir une souplesse de placement des hauteurs

2. Est-ce que vous commencer a travailler avec vos élèves sur les sons

multiples ?

Le travail d’un SM commence par jouer isolément chaque hauteur du SM

et de mémoriser la position de celles-ci. Ce travail se réalise dans des

dynamiques différentes.

Puis un travail d’enchaînement de SM intervient afin d’acquérir une souplesse et

une certaine virtuosité de jeu.

3. Qu’est-ce que vous faites quand un doigté fait par le compositeur pour un son

multiple ne marche pas?

Je le change en essayant de respecter la couleur demandée. Pour moi, il

est insupportable de proposer un SM qui ne soit pas équilibré, pas maîtrisé (cela

peut être un équilibre dans une fragilité ou dans une instabilité). En général le

compositeur ne joue pas du saxophone et donc a trouvé un SM qui correspond à

167

l’harmonie, au timbre désiré. Si la réalisation ne le permet pas, c’est notre rôle

d’interprète de chercher et de proposer une solution afin d’offrir une réalisation

juste de ce geste musical.

4. Quelles sortes de ressources, des exercices, et / ou répertoire donnez-vous

aux étudiants pour les aider à améliorer cette technique? Si vous avez un

exercice d'auto créé, envisageriez-vous la partager?

Il faut apprendre à contrôler chaque hauteur du SM indépendamment et

pour moi il y a toujours une hauteur qui permet de donner l’équilibre du SM, à

chacun de le trouver.

5. Quels sont les critères utilisez-vous pour évaluer la maîtrise d'un étudiant et le

progrès avec cette technique? 

  Anticiper la réalisation du SM, contrôler la position des hauteurs et ne pas

se satisfaire de la position des doigts. Emission du SM, stabilité…  

 

6. Est-ce que vous travailler les sons multiples avec vos élèves pour les autres

raisons que répertoire, par exemple, pour développer le son ? Que faites-vous ? 

  Ce travail est intégrer dans la technique préparatoire, elle permet

d’assouplir la gestion des hauteurs. 

 

 

168

7. Est-ce que vous intégrer l'étude des sons multiples dans votre programme de

premier cycle, ou attendez-vous pour les étudiants de s'informer à ce sujet? 

  Comme je l’ai déjà, ce travail commence très tôt. 

8. Quelle est le rôle de l'équipement d'un élève à la bonne exécution des sons

multiples? 

J’ai pu constater qu’il était plus aisé de jouer des SM avec des anches

faibles et concernant les becs, très souvent le bec Selmer permet un jeu plus

facile. 

 

9. Avez-vous des "trucs" pour obtenir des sons multiples difficiles de parler? 

  C’est vrai que pour ma part, je n’ai jamais rencontré de grandes difficultés

dans la réalisation des SM. Je sais que le travail que j’essaie de transmettre

dans une meilleure connaissance des sensations internes, du rôle de langue

permet un jeu plus aisé dans la pratique des SM. 

 

10. Quel est l'impact du saxophone (soprano, alto, ténor, baryton) sur cette

technique, et ne vous modifier votre approche de cette technique en aucune

façon à accueillir quel membre de la famille des saxophones, vous ou un

étudiant est de jouer? 

   

169

La technique des SM est la même quelque soit le saxophone joué. Certains SM

seront plus faciles en fonction de l’instrument.

Pour moi, le contrôle et la conscience de la position de chaque hauteur sont

essentiels.

170

David Dees Associate Professor of Saxophone

Texas Tech University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiphonics?

Freshman Sophomore maybe – depending on rep.

2. Are there particular multiphonics that you teach first, or do you address

multiphonics through repertoire as needed?

With rep – usually Mai91

3. In repertoire, how do you deal with multiphonic fingerings that “don’t work?”

try to find new ones in Kientzy92

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

Kientzy,93 Londeix.94 Break up multiphonics, isolate and produce pitches

individually with multiphonic fingering. All the altissimo exercises help – front F

throat gliss, overtones, mouthpiece scales, altissimo scales

91 Ryo Noda. Maï: pour saxophone alto seul (Paris: A. Leduc, 1978). 92 Daniel Kientzy, Les sons multiples aux saxophones (Paris: Editions Salabert, 2000). 93 Ibid.  94 Jean-Marie Londeix, William Street, and Anna Street, Hello! Mr. Sax (Paris: Editions Musicales Alphonse Leduc, 1989). 

171

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

Musical results and consistency 

 

6. Do you use multiphonics with students for any pedagogical reason other than

performance? If yes, what is your objective?

Leaning multiphonics will help with flexibility and control esp with altissimo

register.  

 

7. Do you integrate the study of multiphonics into your undergraduate curriculum,

or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

Whenever the rep comes up, but almost all students encounter

multiphonics as undergrads.

 

8. Of what importance is the role of a student’s equipment to the successful

performance of multiphonics?

There are some C6 sop multiphonics in Lauba etc – so it’s helpful to have

a series III. Like altissimo, there are some potential problems if horn is out of

adjustment.  

 

9. Do you have any “tricks” for getting difficult multiphonics to speak?

172

Break them up into individual pitches. Try new fingerings. 

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

Seems like basically the same technique on all horns. 

173

Geoffrey Scott Deibel Visiting Assistant Professor of Saxophone

University of Florida  

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiphonics?

Typically whenever the music necessitates it. However, as I am a

proponent of contemporary works, I try to introduce even the youngest students

to this type of music and technique as early as possible. I have had middle

school aged students play multiphonics regularly, and certainly all levels of high

school and college students. The earlier you introduce any of these techniques,

the less “hard” it is for the student later on.

2. Are there particular multiphonics that you teach first, or do you address

multiphonics through repertoire as needed?

As needed, although if it’s the first time, I show them the easiest ones first

(low C -4, low Bb –C, or E + C3).

3. In repertoire, how do you deal with multiphonic fingerings that “don’t work?”

The fingers are in fact often incorrect. Composers using the Kientzy

book95 are often led astray by this resource. On the other hand there are often

just one or perhaps two key changes that can be made to achieve the desired

multiphonic. It’s also important to figure out what function the multiphonic has in

95 Daniel Kientzy, Les sons multiples aux saxophones (Paris: Editions Salabert, 2000).  

174

the music. If it’s just for effect, sometimes it doesn’t matter. There are many

(often bad) pieces from the 70s through the 90s that have non-functional

multiphonics. Sometimes, you just have to experiment to figure out something

that works for the horn and the music. For example in HARD96 by Christian

Lauba, the chord that appears on pg. 6 (F+/F#/C#) is not correct. Through a little

adjustment from the given fingering, I figured out that 1/2/3/5/6/lowB/Eb/C gets

the desired multiphonic, which is supposed to be another power chord.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

Multiphonics are sometimes similar to altissimo in that you have to voice

more toward a certain note to make the chord sound. At the beginning of the

second movement of the Denisov Sonate,97 for example, voicing toward the hi F#

gets that multiphonic to speak reliably. Additionally, certain chords must be

played with a wider or tighter airstream, or a looser or tighter embouchure, or

more or less mouthpiece. Even puffing the cheeks can help sometimes, and I’ve

also occasionally put a very little bit of the tip of my tongue on the reed to get a

close-interval multiphonic. Every chord is a little different, but often chords that

are part of the same multiphonic family (side key family, for example) will behave

the same way. Aside from these adjustments, reed and mouthpiece choice make

96 Christian Lauba. Hard: pour saxophone tenor (Courlay, France: J.M. Fuzeau, 1989). 97 Ėdison Vasilʹevich Denisov, Sonate pour saxophone alto et piano (Paris: A. Leduc, 1973). 

175

a difference. The most important thing is to put instructions on how to play the

chord in the music—I’ll write “high and tight” or “voice F#” (although I typically try

not to voice when I play).

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

If the multiphonic works, the student has succeeded, although there’s a

certain amount of initiative the student must learn to take with the techniques I’ve

described above. It’s not enough for them just to say “it’s not coming out.” It’s a

problem we all have to address.

6. Do you use multiphonics with students for any pedagogical reason other than

performance? If yes, what is your objective?

No.

7. Do you integrate the study of multiphonics into your undergraduate curriculum,

or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I try to incorporate pieces that have multiphonics into the curriculum so

students get used to playing them. It’s a critical part of our modern-day

performance technique.

176

8. Of what importance is the role of a student’s equipment to the successful

performance of multiphonics?

It is important, but you can typically make any setup work for most pieces.

I will typically only change my setup if there is something that is all multiphonics.

This is only in extreme cases.

9. Do you have any “tricks” for getting difficult multiphonics to speak?

See above.

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on this

technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

No.

177

John Sampen Distinguished Artist Professor, Coordinator of Woodwind Area

Bowling Green State University

1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiphonics?

Multiphonics are generally introduced by fellow student saxophonists at

BGSU and this probably happens during the first semester of freshman year. I

work on the technique in lessons about the junior year.

2. Are there particular multiphonics that you teach first, or do you address

multiphonics through repertoire as needed?

Usually I introduce this technique through specific literature. However, an

easy one to produce is the fingering for low C with the fourth finger raised.

3. In repertoire, how do you deal with multiphonic fingerings that “don’t work?”

Many times multiphonics require intense experimentation and practice

much like the production of altissimo. Isolating the required pitches often helps.

Sometimes the notated fingerings just don’t work and require changes or

substitutions. As one nears a performance, it is important that the player has

confidence and a high percentage of success in the producing the notated

multiphonics. If this is not the case, then I will suggest substitutions so that the

performer (and the composer) are not represented in a negative way.

178

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

Ron Caravan’s “Sketch”98 or “ Preliminary Exercises”99 are both good

starting pieces and/or the Ryo Noda “Improvisations.”100

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

My criteria would include correct pitches, consistency, quality of sound,

and control of dynamic intentions.

6. Do you use multiphonics with students for any pedagogical reason other than

performance? If yes, what is your objective?

No

7. Do you integrate the study of multiphonics into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I usually wait for students to inquire about this, although many of our

contemporary works require these sounds.

98 Ronald L. Caravan, Sketch for Alto Saxophone. (New York: Seesaw Music Corp, 1974). 99 Ronald L. Caravan, Preliminary Exercises & Etudes in Contemporary Techniques for Saxophone Introductory Material for the Study of Multiphonics, Quarter Tones, & Timbre Variation (Medfield, MA: Dorn Publications, 1980). 100 Ryo Noda, Improvisation I, pour saxophone alto seul (Paris: A. Leduc, 1974). 

179

8. Of what importance is the role of a student’s equipment to the

successful performance of multiphonics?

Equipment is a major consideration and this does affect the success.

Multiphonics written for early saxophone models (e.g., Selmer Mark VI) often do

not work today on newer instruments.

9. Do you have any “tricks” for getting difficult multiphonics to speak?

In teaching, I often consider the direction of the air and the pressure of the

embouchure. Also we experiment with the amount of mouthpiece and the

strength of reeds.

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

Fingerings for multiphonics often do not transfer to the other sizes of

saxophones. I have no particular approach in dealing with these changes other

than experimentation and consultation with books by Kientzy101 and Londeix102

and Weiss.103

101 Daniel Kientzy, Les sons multiples aux saxophones (Paris: Editions Salabert, 2000). 102 Jean-Marie Londeix, William Street, and Anna Street, Hello! Mr. Sax (Paris: Editions Musicales Alphonse Leduc, 1989). 103 Marcus Weiss, and Giorgio Netti, The techniques of saxophone playing = Die Spieltechnik des Saxophons (Kassel: Bärenreiter, 2010). 

180

Rhonda Taylor College Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Music Theory

New Mexico State University 1. How/when in a student’s education do you generally introduce him or her to

multiphonics?

I introduce multiphonics on a case-by-case basis with students; it depends

on the individual. Usually my students begin working on multiphonics mid-to late

undergraduate studies.

2. Are there particular multiphonics that you teach first, or do you address

multiphonics through repertoire as needed?

Through repertoire as needed.

3. In repertoire, how do you deal with multiphonic fingerings that “don’t work?”

It depends on the piece. At this point historically, there are enough reliable

resources for multiphonics that we shouldn't have any works that have this

problem (it terms of multiphonics notated in the music that are actually not

acoustically possible). If the composer is alive, then I or the student begins with

contacting the composer and asking about the multiphonic. If it's a piece others

have played successfully in the past , then it could be a question of having

access to the right fingering and then contacting fellow saxophonists is in order. If

it's an issue of a multiphonic that does work acoustically but is troublesome to

execute, I would demonstrate the approaches in #4. If it's a week before a

performance and the student still isn't having success executing the multiphonic

181

(no matter the cause), then I do work with him/her to find a suitable substitute

(taking pitch and timbre into account) for that particular performance.

4. What sorts of resources, exercises, and/or repertoire do you give to students

to help them improve this technique? If you have a self-created exercise, would

you consider sharing it?

In terms of resources, the main one I expect students to use is Londeix's

Hello! Mr. Sax.104 Having the Kientzy105 is of course helpful but less reliable. My

approach to working on multiphonics is really an extension of voicing, and like

any voicing, the work must be both physical and aural. I ask students to finger

the multiphonic and voice the individual pitches: almost always, certain pitches

speak more easily, and the challenge is to find a tongue/throat compromise

position that allows the full multiphonic to speak. On the aural side, I ask students

to sing the pitches contained in the multiphonic, and also to consider the

intervallic relationship between the previous (and following) musical material and

the multiphonic so that they might more successfully execute it. For instance, the

end of the first movement of the Denisov Sonate106 ends with our written F#, and

the multiphonic that opens the second movement continues that F#, but now as

the highest pitch in a multiphonic. Aurally matching the two helps the player

execute the multiphonic more clearly, but also helps the student hear why it's

104 Jean-Marie Londeix, William Street, and Anna Street, Hello! Mr. Sax (Paris: Editions Musicales Alphonse Leduc, 1989). 105 Daniel Kientzy, Les sons multiples aux saxophones (Paris: Editions Salabert, 2000). 106 Ėdison Vasilʹevich Denisov, Sonate pour saxophone alto et piano (Paris: A. Leduc, 1973). 

182

structurally important to the work. Of course the highest goal here is to

communicate that F# connection to the listener.

5. What criteria do you use to evaluate a student’s mastery and progress with

this technique?

I ask myself if the multiphonic is being executed in context consistently,

and if so, are all other parameters (dynamic level, duration, articulation/sound

envelope) also in control?

6. Do you use multiphonics with students for any pedagogical reason other than

performance? If yes, what is your objective?

No.

7. Do you integrate the study of multiphonics into your undergraduate

curriculum, or do you wait for students to inquire about it?

I don't have a formal multiphonics requirement - it depends on the

appropriate repertoire for the student. (See #1.) If a student does ask about

multiphonics, I take into consideration where he/she is with their voicing work,

and go from there.

8. Of what importance is the role of a student’s equipment to the successful

performance of multiphonics?

183

Professional level equipment in excellent working condition is essential to

the successful performance of multiphonics. If a saxophone is full of leaks,

successfully splitting partials is not possible for obvious reasons. As far as reeds

go, I find this is similar to working on altissimo, where at first all seems

dependent on the reed, but after one gains more voicing control, it doesn't seem

as precarious. (Of course having a fabulous reed never hurt anyone.)

9. Do you have any “tricks” for getting difficult multiphonics to speak?

No. See #4.

10. What impact does the saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) have on

this technique, and do you alter your approach to this technique in any way to

accommodate which member of the saxophone family you or a student is

playing?

There are different challenges on either end of the size spectrum for us.

Smaller saxes' partials are closer together so even more precision and control

are essential, while larger saxes' partials are farther apart, so a wider amount of

flexibility is necessary. When a student is new to multiphonics, I think it's best for

him/her to begin work on the saxophone he/she is most comfortable playing. I do

not alter my approach to teaching this technique, but I do keep my previously

mentioned challenges in mind as I work with the student.

184

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alla, Thierry. Digital: pour saxophone soprano seul. Paris: A. Leduc, 2003. Alla, Thierry. “Musique contemporaine, l’école de Bordeaux.” Bordeaux Culture,

June 2006. Arban, J.-B., Edwin Franko Goldman, and Walter M. Smith. Arban's Complete

Conservatory Method: For Trumpet (Cornet) or Eb Alto, Bb Tenor, Baritone, Euphonium and Bb Bass in Treble Clef. New York: Carl Fischer, 1936.

Albright, William. Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano. [S.l.]: Henmar Press,

1990. Bergeron, Thomas. Saxophone Multiphonics: A Scalar Model. Thesis (D.M.A.)—

University of Oregon, 1989. Berio, Luciano, and Claude Delangle. Sequenza VIIb: per sassofono soprano in

sib. Wien: Universal Edition, 1995. Bertocchi, Serge. La méthode de saxophone. IMD: Paris, 2011. Caldini, Sandro. "Circular Breathing." Double Reed 29, no. 4 (December 2006).

Music Index, 139. Caravan, Ronald L., Extensions of Technique for Clarinet and Saxophone,

Thesis—Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, 1974. Caravan, Ronald L. Sketch for Alto Saxophone. New York: Seesaw Music Corp,

1974. _____. Paradigms I for Alto Saxophone. [United States]: Dorn Publications,

1976. Cockroft, Barry. Beat Me! for Solo Tenor Saxophone. Melbourne: Reed music,

2007. Denisov, Edison Vasilʹevich. Sonate pour saxophone alto et piano. Paris: A.

Leduc, 1973. Dick, Robert. "Circular Breathing—You Can Do It." Instrumentalist, February

1987. Music Index, 62. Dorn, Ken. Multiphonics. [United States]: Dorn Productions, 1975.

185

Ferling, Franz Wilhelm and Albert J. Andraud. 48 Famous Studies for Oboe or Saxophone And 3 Duos Concertants for 2 Oboes or 2 Saxophones. San Antonio: Southern Music Co, 1958.

Fournier, Marie Hélène. Le fusain fuit la gomme: pour saxophone baryton solo.

Paris: H. Lemoine, 2000. Gingras, M. "Circular Breathing for Wind Players." Instrumentalist, May 1990.,

66. Music Index, EBSCOhost (accessed November 22, 2010). Husa, Karel. Élégie et Rondeau pour saxophone alto et orchestre. Paris: Leduc,

1961. Jolas, Betsy. Episode quatrième: pour saxophone ténor seul. Paris: A. Leduc,

1984. Kientzy, Daniel. Les sons multiples aux saxophones. Paris: Editions Salabert,

1982. Kynaston, Trent P. Circular Breathing for the Wind Performer. Lebanon, Ind:

Studio P/R, 1978. Lauba, Christian. Neuf études pour saxophones en 4 cahiers = Nine etudes for

saxophones in 4 books. Paris: A. Leduc, 1996. _____. Hard: pour saxophone ténor. Courlay, France: J.M. Fuzeau, 1989. Londeix, Jean-Marie. “Qui a dit ‘l’école de Bordeaux?’—Who called it the

‘Bordeaux school?’” (lecture, World Saxophone Congress, Ljubljana, Slovenia, July 7, 2006).

_____. Nouvelles études variées: dans tous les tons d'après Blumenstengel,

Dont, Gaviniès, Paganini et Rode (avec suraigu). Paris: A. Leduc, 1986. _____, William Street, and Anna Street. Hello! Mr. Sax (Paris: Editions Musicales

Alphonse Leduc, 1989). Martin, Douglass. "Sigurd Rascher, 94, Who Showed the Sax Could Be Classy,"

New York Times. March 26, 2001. Mauk, Steven. “Teaching Students to Slap Tongue,” Saxophone Journal 14, no.

1 (July/Aug. 1989): 41. Marcel Mule, Études variées dans toutes les tonalités. Paris: A. Leduc, Editions

Musicales, 1970.

186

Michat, Jean-Denis. Un saxophone contemporain (Paris: www.jdmichat.com, 2010): 28.

Netti, Giorgio. ultimo a lato. Milan: 2005. Nobis, Paul. 2009. "Circular Breathing Defined." ITEA Journal 36, no. 2: 101-102.

Music Index, EBSCOhost (accessed November 22, 2010). Noda, Ryo. Improvisation I, pour saxophone alto seul. Paris: A. Leduc, 1974. Noda, Ryo. Maï: pour saxophone alto seul. Paris: A. Leduc, 1978. Pituch, David. “Slap Tonguing: Method Over Madness,” Saxophone Journal 13,

no. 3 (Nov./Dec. 1988): 46. Paulson, John William. Quarter-Tone Production on the Saxophone. Thesis

(M.A.) — University of Rochester, 1975. Pickett, Lenny. "Rock 'n Roll Saxophone: Tricks of the Trade--Circular

Breathing." Saxophone Journal, January 1993, 56. Schwartz, Richard A. "Circular Breathing, Part I: Early History & Usage with

Musical Instruments." Saxophone Journal, January 2005., 36-37, Music Index, EBSCOhost (accessed November 22, 2010).

______. "Circular Breathing, Part II: Is Circular Breathing Hazardous to Your

Health?." Saxophone Journal, March 2005., 44-45, Music Index, EBSCOhost (accessed November 22, 2010).

Segell, Michael. The Devil's Horn: The Story of the Saxophone, from Noisy

Novelty to King of Cool. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005. Sciarrino, Salvatore. La bocca, i piedi, il suono: per quattro sax solisti e cento sax

in movimento (1997). Milan: Ricordi, 1997. Teal, Larry, The Art of Saxophone Playing. Secaucus, NJ: Summy-Birchard,

1963. Tulou, Jean Louis, Janice Dockendorff Boland, and Martha F. Cannon. A Method

for the Flute. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1995. Umble, James, Michèle Gingras, Hervé Corbé, William Henry Street, and Jean-

Marie Londeix. Jean-Marie Londeix: Master of the Modern Saxophone = maître du saxophone moderne. Cherry Hill, NJ: Roncorp Publications, 2000.

187

Vermazen, Bruce. That Moaning Saxophone: The Six Brown Brothers and the Dawning of a Musical Craze. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.

Weiss, Marcus, and Giorgio Netti. The Techniques of Saxophone Playing = Die

Spieltechnik des Saxophons. Kassel: Bärenreiter, 2010. Wiedoeft, Rudy. Rudy Wiedoeft's Secret of Staccato: for the Saxophone, New

York: Robbins Music, 1938. Young, Keith R. “Saxophone Double Tongueing [sic],” Saxophone Journal 24,

no. 2 (Nov/Dec 1999), 54-57.